Rossi to start with new parts

As previously reported, Valentino Rossi will have a new frame and swingarm to try on his Desmosedici this weekend at Misano, for what will be his final home appearance for Ducati.

Rossi, who will re-join Yamaha next season, gave the new developments the green light after a private test at Misano in late August.

"Two weeks ago we did a test here with some new stuff, and they were two good days with quite good performance and good feeling," said Rossi. "But now we have to understand if we have improved and how much, together with the other guys.

"It's a new chassis and a new swingarm with some modifications in the size, the position and the stiffness.

"The comparison in the test was better than the bike that I used in Brno. So I will start tomorrow with the new stuff," continued Rossi, who finished seventh in the previous Czech Republic round.

"[Leaving Ducati] doesn't change anything. There are still six races to go. A lot of different races where we can try to improve the bike. Our target is to do some good races from here to the end."

Rossi, whose home town of Tavullia is a few kilometres from the Misano circuit, sits eighth in the championship with six rounds to go.

The seven time MotoGP champion finished seventh in last year's San Marino round.

"My race was not too bad last year. I was able to fight with the second group and it was quite fun," said Rossi.