'Today? No!' - Rossi still seeking 'last step'

Valentino Rossi's wait for tangible acceleration progress on his M1 goes on, after being unable to improve his Yamaha's performance during Monday's official MotoGP test at Brno.

But it wasn't all bad news.

The Italian said he had found 'something positive' but added it would not be ready for next weekend's Austria round and, if he had to race again today, he would still choose his standard bike.

"It was a good test because we had very hot conditions, very similar to the race weekend," said Rossi, who rode for 51 laps and set the seventh fastest lap time, 0.7s behind Honda's Marc Marquez.

"We worked [mainly on the electronics] for the acceleration, for the first touch of the throttle and also to try to save the tyre for the race distance.

"We had something small for the acceleration. We found also something quite positive, but unfortunately, it will not be ready for Austria because we have to put it all together.

"In the end, if I had to race now, I would race with the bike of yesterday. Because we are not able to improve. 

"It's a difficult job because it's very small and precise. So maybe we need more time.

"So I think that for Austria the situation will be the same.

"I also tried the cowling for the wheelie, but I feel very similar. And I try a different front tyre for Michelin, but sincerely I don't like a lot."

Rossi and Yamaha's losing streak has now reached 20 successive races, the factory's worst win drought since 1998, although The Doctor holds (a distant) second place in the world championship.

The Italian has long identified electronics as holding back the M1's acceleration relative to the rival Honda and Ducati machines. Yamaha agrees, although racing manager Lin Jarvis adds the issue is more complex than simply electronics: 'It's electronics integrated with chassis design'.

Earlier in the weekend, Rossi revealed only a 'small step' would be on offer at today's test, pouring cold water on earlier hopes that a big upgrade would be available in the Czech Republic.

Is Rossi not getting frustrated at the wait for effective solutions?

"You know, it's like this. We have to try. We have to work. In the end our results during the season are not so bad. We are close to the top.

"We need something more to make the last step, to fight for victory. But today? No!"

Rossi, fourth in Sunday's race, was the only factory Yamaha rider on track today with team-mate Maverick Vinales resting after being taken out in a nasty opening lap accident on Sunday.

"I'm sorry for Maverick and I hope that he's okay because the next race is this weekend, but for me it didn't change anything because I make the same program," Rossi said.