MotoGP – Rossi: "The classification reflects reality"

May 28, 2021

The arrival of the World Championship on the European circuits, where Valentino Rossi had hopes of getting back on his feet after a difficult start to the season, has not improved the situation of the veteran Italian driver, for whom the season is beginning to turn very uphill.

Rossi , on a circuit where he has won up to seven times during his career, could only be 21st on the time sheet, and had a few run-offs at the end of the straight during the start of his ‘home’ grand prix .

“I don’t feel too good with the bike. I think we continue with the Le Mans set-up, slightly adapted to Mugello ”, explained the Italian.

Not even the arrival to what, once, was his fetish circuit, his private garden, has improved the panorama.

“I have always been very strong here. I have problems braking, especially in the first corner. And later, in the changes of direction I am also suffering, ”he acknowledged.

Yamaha debuts this weekend the exit device ( holeshot ) in the front of the bike, which until now did not have.

“I’ve tried the front exit system and it helps, it’s a good step, but there’s still work to be done because it’s a bit critical. We hope to be able to use it as soon as possible”, he valued the novelty.

The #46 could not make an attack on time in conditions throughout the day.

“I have been slow, but I was wearing hard tires, and all of us who have opted for hard tires suffered. With the soft rubber I went wide in the first corner, but, in any case, I could have improved a little but not that much. What the classification reflects is more or less reality”, resigned the Tavullia star.

Rossi was hoping to confirm some of the positive signs seen at the Jerez test on May 3, but that hasn’t materialized so far.

“In Jerez things were a little better, but something different is needed here. I have not felt good with the bike”, settled il dottore .