Valentino Rossi demonstrated surprising pace aboard a Yamaha at the Misano circuit during a high-profile Dainese testing event, closing the gap to contender Marco Bezzecchi within two seconds.
The session, designed to evaluate prototype protective gear including suits and gloves, saw an impressive turnout of riders across ,and Moto3 disciplines.
Celestino Vietti led the charge on his Ducati Panigale, setting the fastest lap time of the afternoon ahead of Franco Morbidelli. Marco Bezzecchi, riding an Aprilia, secured third place overall and was the only non-Ducati rider within the top five, underscoring his competitiveness. Notably, Moto3 standout Guido Pini finished fourth, just ahead of fellow 2027 VR46 signing Fermin Aldeguer. World Superbike competitor Stefano Manzi emerged as the top Yamaha rider in sixth, outperforming Andrea Iannone and Pol Espargaro, who was riding a Ducati while standing in for the injured at Tech3.
Rossi’s lap time placed him 11th on the sheet, approximately 2.8 seconds off Vietti’s pace but significantly just under two seconds behind Bezzecchi. He was also a mere three-tenths slower than Gresini-bound Daniel Holgado, who piloted an unmarked Yamaha R1 to ninth place. The session concluded with Luca Vitali and Loris Capirossi, riding Aprilias, rounding out the order.
Sky Sports Italy journalist Rosario Triolo highlighted the session’s results, emphasizing Rossi’s competitive showing despite his retirement from at the end of 2021. Rossi, now 47 and competing in the GT World Challenge for BMW, has maintained his connection to motorcycle racing through these testing roles. Triolo’s insights underscore the significance of Rossi’s performance: “Valentino Rossi laps within two seconds of Marco Bezzecchi,” signaling the enduring pace of the nine-time world champion even years after his retirement.
While the session was non-competitive and riders were unlikely to push at full race intensity due to injury risks, the need to thoroughly test the Dainese gear mandated a respectable pace. Rossi’s ability to remain close to active riders highlights his ongoing skill level and physical condition. In a previous outing at Misano, Rossi had been four seconds slower than Yamaha’s World Superbike riders, making this latest performance a marked improvement.
This Dainese Project Apex 2026 event not only served as a technical evaluation but also as a stage for legends and rising stars alike to showcase their talents. Rossi’s performance, within striking distance of Bezzecchi’s times, reverberates as a testament to his lasting speed and experience in the sport.