Italian Valentino Rossi was unable to test at Sepang yesterday due to the flu.

Ducati and Valentino Rossi’s title chances took a severe his in Malaysia yesterday when the Italian was ruled out of testing duties, leaving American Nicky Hayden as the lone factory Ducati on track for Wednesday.

Suffering from flu symptoms, Rossi didn’t take to the track during yesterday’s second of three days of testing at Sepang.

The Italian rider was feeling weakened by fever and a cold when he arrived at the track, and after consulting with the team and with doctors from the Clinica Mobile, he returned to his hotel, where he underwent anti-flu treatment.

The hope is that the unplanned day off will leave the nine-time world champion in better condition for today’s final day of testing.

Rossi is currently developing the Desmosedici GP11 in a bid to challenge for his 10th world title in 2011.