Yamaha MotoGP team launch

But how long will the love last when the fiercely competitive duo hit the track? That was the question being asked by a lot of MotoGP journos ever since Lorenzo had been formally announced as Rossi's partner in the Fiat Yamaha squad for the 2008 season.
At the team launch in Turin, held at Fiat's historic Lingotto factory, Rossi was enthusiastic about the season ahead, the first MotoGP season in which he'll be running on Bridgestone rubber. At the conclusion of the three day Sepang test in late January, Lorenzo, who will be using Michelin tyres, was actually faster than Rossi, clocking a 2'00.755 fastest lap to Rossi's best of 2'01.425. However, both Yamaha riders, and even Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner, were eclipsed by a 2'00.326 lap from Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden.
Hayden's team mate, Dani Pedrosa, fractured his right hand in a crash and is likely to miss all the remaining pre-season tests. Italian TV star, Simona Ventura hosted the 2008 Fiat Yamaha MotoGP team launch