The Italian had been waiting for some time to disembark the MotoGP World Championship in Jerez, one of his all-time favorite circuits and where last year, at the second stop on the calendar, he achieved the last podium on his service record, number 199 in the category of heavy motorcycles.
And the troubles that plagued him since the championship began in Qatar were reproduced this Friday on the Andalusian track, where in the second test session he was only able to beat Iker Lecuona and Tito Rabat.
There is no way that Rossi will find the grip on the rear end of his Yamaha that the other three riders of the three fingerboard brand benefit from. And that leaves him in evidence every Sunday. After the first three grand prix of the course, the one from Tavullia only accumulates four points in his locker, a background that represents the worst start of his life.
“I have no grip behind. I’m not fast or one lap nor do I have rhythm. The rear rubber does not give me grip. We have tried many things. Today, even, with two very different bikes. But we haven’t found the solution and we are running out of ideas”, summed up Rossi .
For the #46 , the key to its poor performance surely lies in the tyres, which have progressively softened in recent years.
“I have been suffering from this problem for years. Now, the rear tire is very soft, and throughout my career I always preferred harder tires. But the others manage to go fast with these compounds, so we have to find a way to go too”, agreed the multi-champion, who in a few races will have to decide if he wants (or can) continue racing, or if on the contrary he has arrived time to hang up the jumpsuit and helmet.
“Riding the bike and working is one thing, but the results are crucial. That’s why I’m not happy right now, because I’m not going fast. At the same time, I don’t feel any more pressure because physically I feel good”, settled Rossi.
