Ducati's Valentino Rossi reveals struggle for fitness

Advertisement

Rossi hopeful of being fully fit for testing

Ducati rider Valentino Rossi says he will not be fully fit for the start of the 2011 MotoGP season in March.

Rossi, 31, had shoulder surgery in November and, although he expects to take part in testing in February, his recovery has taken longer than thought.

"I count on being in decent form for the first race of the season in Qatar on 20 March and then I'll be 100% in April," said the Italian.

"I hoped to feel a bit better. There is a lot of work to do."

The first testing ahead of the new season will take place in Malaysia at the beginning of February and Rossi added: "It's a great challenge to get in shape for the February tests."

606: DEBATE What are your thoughts on the 2011 Moto GP season?

Seven-time MotoGP champion Rossi, who suffered a broken leg last June, injured his right shoulder in training in April 2010.

"I won't be in great form in Malaysia, I hope I'll be OK on the bike," said Rossi, who left Yamaha last season to join Ducati.

"It will be a race against time, the situation with the shoulder is more serious than we expected.

"I will come back 100% but it needs more time."