The likes of
Valentino Rossi had barely left the pits to start their 2013
MotoGP preparations, when rain began to fall at a cold and grey Valencia on Tuesday morning.
The test marks nine time world champion Rossi's return to Yamaha after two tough years at Ducati, plus the
MotoGP debuts of Moto2 stars Marc Marquez, Bradley Smith and Andrea Iannone.
Rossi has grey, black and yellow leathers and an M1 of the same colours. The 33-year-old Italian had a slight sideways moment during his brief two-lap track appearance. Yamaha's newly crowned double world champion
Jorge Lorenzo also has a special 'test' livery on his bike.
As well as Rossi, Alvaro Bautista (Gresini Honda),
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati), Stefan Bradl (Honda LCR), Hiroshi Aoyama (Avintia), Karel Abraham (Cardion AB) and former racer
Loris Capirossi (riding Smith's Tech 3 Yamaha) had taken to the track prior to the rain interruption.
Even if the rain clears, just as during the race weekend, it is feared that the new surface will be slow to dry and all riders are currently back in the pits.
Testing is due to continue at Valencia for the next two days, although Yamaha is rumoured to be switching to Aragon on Wednesday.
Rossi's debut for Ducati at the Valencia test in 2010 was also hampered by bad weather.
UPDATE: As of 11:30am local time, the track is still wet and only ten riders have recorded a lap time. Bautista is still fastest courtesy of his 1m 35.936s lap set before the rain.