SEPANG: Valentino Rossi believes MotoGP riders can go faster than ever on the newly-resurfaced Sepang Circuit, but admitted it can be a tricky affair in mixed conditions.
The Movistar Yamaha rider came in fifth in the morning practice at the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix when the track was slightly damp on two minutes and 1.611 seconds before settling for 13th (2:13.416 seconds) in the afternoon in fully wet conditions.
"We did not push in the morning, as it was not fully dry, but still, Marc Marquez was able to do 2:01.210 seconds and I was not far behind," said Rossi.
"The new surface is good, it has less bumps and more grip. It has a lot of potential, but the only problem is the rain.
"If the track is in perfect condition, we can go a minimum of two seconds faster than last year," he added.
Marquez' Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa had set the circuit's best lap of 1:59:053 seconds last year.
Rossi, however, said that the dark colour of the newly-laid asphalt made reading the track difficult in mixed conditions.
"The track is a little slow to dry up. It stopped raining at 7.30am, but it was still damp in a few areas when we ended the first practice at 10.40am, which means three hours is not enough for it to dry up.
"The asphalt is dark, which is normal since it’s new, but it does make the track difficult to understand when it is half wet and half dry.
"You always have to pay attention, you can ride but you cannot push 100 per cent. I hope that it will be either all wet or all dry (in the race)," said Rossi.
Marc Marquez missed the second session due to gastroenteritis, but remained the fastest man on the day having topped the first practice on 2:01.210 seconds.
"In the morning, I didn't feel very well - I've had gastroenteritis for the last two days, but I was able to go out and ride even though I was not at 100 per cent," said Marquez.
"After the session and the effort I put in, I began feeling worse because gastroenteritis also dehydrates you.
"Looking at the (wet) track conditions, we decided not to go out (for a second session).
"I think it has been good for me not to go out there, and to instead save myself for tomorrow and especially Sunday."
Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia) was the fastest man in the second practice after notching 2:08.872 seconds, while Phillip Island winner Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) was second on 2:09.271 seconds. Avintia Racing's Hector Barbera (2:09.414 seconds) took third.