Yamaha in lead at opening of MotoGP test

(ANSA) - Rome, February 1 - Yamaha began the 2016 test season in Malaysia on Monday as it ended the 2015 MotoGP season in Spain, with reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo and teammate Valentino Rossi respectively coming in first and second. Dani Pedrosa of Spain came third for Honda in the first day on the Sepang circuit, while Italy's Danilo Petrucci on a Ducati was fourth.
    Fellow Italian Andrea Iannone, also riding for Ducati, was fifth. "It seemed we had greater problems in Valencia (the final race of the 2015 MotoGP season)," Rossi said. "But this is just the first of three days of tests. It is a long road, we must see how the next tests go and how to stay closer to Lorenzo," the nine-time world champion said. Relations with Lorenzo are strained after Rossi came a close second to his teammate-rival last season after leading for most of the year. The last race in Spain was contentious with Rossi getting a grid penalty after a clash with Marc Marquez, and Marqez then being accused of not doing enough to stop Lorenzo winning.