Thanks sparky as Mr. Brigg's adds to my perception that Rossi is being Rossi. #46 is not competing with anyone to get Ducati's attention so he can develop the bike to his needs in a manner that suits him. #46 has found alot about the GP10 (as can the telemetry) without pushing for an entire lap, so why push for *lap*times now? The glory of being up the list now is not the prize #46 seeks.

#27 and #26 are (just as Suppo and Puig are) competing for HRC's development attention and priorities on how to make the 2011 bike work for them first and then the others. If I recall correctly #26 & #27 set the bike up differently with their preferred weigh bias (ref. needed), making this an important battle. Stoner had to set laps *now* to show he is worthy of getting HRC to make the bike fit him. He had to show HRC, Repsol, and the press he is the guy now. Repsol & Dorna like the idea of Spain on top...#69 won the World Championship and Repsol/HRC made the next bike for #26. I believe Suppo&Stoner had to climb to the top of the priority list at this test - which I think they did. #27 gave HRC weapons, in the form of his laptimes & media coverage, to push back on Puig&Repsol's influence to keep #26 as the development target.

The slow lap times from Val will be used to add to his legend. His legend will grow when he is able to lap so much faster in Feb. This speed may then be attributed to Rossi's skill as a developer instead of the speed of the bike alone. Booth Val's ability to develop and lap fast are able to be amplified by posting slower laptimes at this first test. This point of development will not be able to made by Jorge until he moves to Suzuki, or some other factory that Valentino has not marked as his own.