Rossi got rid of Lorenzo but he apparently didn't do a bargain by getting Vinales. The young 21-year-old rider who came from Suzuki with a victory this year did not only make his mark at Yamaha during the two days of testing in Valencia in preparation for the 2017 season. He completely marked his territory.
In the lead on the first day, the Spaniard detonated during the second, finishing not only still at the top of the hierarchy but with the only time below the symbolic mark of 1'30 per lap. The capture of the M1 was therefore immediate with a significant result symbolized by a Márquez second by almost two tenths.
A performance which did not escape the Doctor who was in the front row to appreciate it. Good prince, he commented on crash.net : " Viñales was quite impressive. Yesterday already but today even more. He was able to clock a time of 1'29 which is a hell of a time. I think he had a great debut with Yamaha ».
A judgment full of nobility from the one who remains unsatisfied about the new M1. Vale finished the same day in Valencia in seventh position and more than seven tenths off the pace he set with the 2016 version of the Yamaha.
The two men will meet next week at Sepang to continue their work while most of their rivals will be racing at Jerez. Ducati Corse excepted which will send the Pramac team to the front to develop the GP17.
