Instructions Rossi after the race's first Ducati

We have given very specific instructions about what to do in the long run, in order to improve for the second half of the season "- Valentino Rossi.
Valentino Rossi's MotoGP Ducati racing debut ended in seventh place in Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix.

The results reflect a difficult season to adapt to the Desmosedici and the lack of shoulder strength.

But seven-times MotoGP champion Rossi, was able to set the fastest lap of the seventh, 0.687sec behind race winner Casey Stoner

"Certainly we are not here to get a seventh place finish, but there are also positive things from this race, starting with the time, because we get a fast enough time," said Rossi. "I had a good start, and it's a good feeling because the horsepower of this bike is really helpful to get started.

"Then I did a small mistake at the first turn, because I was stuck behind Barbera for a few rounds. Otherwise, I will be closer to Simoncelli and Dovizioso [4 and 5], because after all there are times when I arranged with them.

"Although I'm not going to beat them, at the end of the race, I could no longer ride like I should get.

"Not only that. We also have to repair motorcycle because others have made a step forward since last year.

"However, I learned a lot in this race, and we've given very specific instructions about what to do in the long run, in order to improve for the second half of the season for example.

"In the near future, on the other hand, we will work on the setup, we will continue to accumulate experience, and I will keep practicing and doing everything I can to recover physically."

Team-mate Nicky Hayden ninth. "I got a bad start in the race, and when de Puniet crashed, I just ran across it, and once I got into ninth position, I got into a decent rhythm and started doing my pace. I tried to pass Edwards but I'm not strong enough get it

"It's a difficult weekend for me and off the track, but everyone around here works

"We have a lot of work to do, but that's only one race, and nobody can say we're not trying."