During the Aragon Grand Prix pre-event press conference which also included Marc Márquez, Andrea Dovizioso, Maverick Vinales, Danilo Petrucci, Alex Rins and Xavier Siméon, Valentino Rossi answered numerous questions from journalists.
As usual, we report his remarks here, in full and without any journalistic distortion.
Valentino Rossi : “above all, I'm happy to try. I need to understand the feeling with a MotoGP because it's a little different. Overall I feel pretty good and luckily I don't have too much pain. It gets better and better every day. I tried for a few laps at Misano and, of course, I suffered a bit but I was able to drive. So we are waiting for tomorrow and we will try to understand if it is possible to ride the bike at a good level. This race is also very important to progress before the next races and try to get back to a good level sooner. We also need to see how the leg will perform between Friday and Sunday. We hope the weather will be good, and we'll see tomorrow on the bike. »
Some say you're crazy for coming back so quickly...
“I think every time it’s different. It depends a lot on the type of fracture, and I was also lucky to have a very good doctor for my surgery, and it went well. Of course, in my mind, at first it was more about Motegi. But day by day it improved a lot and I worked very hard to have a good level of power and less pain. I think it's important to get back on the bike as quickly as possible and not stay another race at home, because afterwards I won't need as much time to get back to a good level. So I will try. »
You did tests at Misano. Where did you suffer the most? And do you come back earlier because you are still thinking about the championship?
“Of course, when I ride a motorcycle, I feel pain where I had my fracture. So at the tibia, rather at the bottom, and at the fibula, more at the top. I suffer a bit when changing direction, and of course I'm not as fast on the bike as when I'm at maximum. And I suffer a little more in right turns. But it's getting better every day, and I hope the leg will improve throughout the weekend as I put in the miles, and I'll be more comfortable in this position.
And, no, it's not for the championship. I mean I think it's all open, but especially for the top three. So it's not for that, but because I want to get back to better shape as soon as possible, and I think this is the best way to do that. »
How is it possible to do this at 38 years old and with 9 titles?
“(Laughs). Unfortunately, the number of titles doesn't help or make it worse when you're injured. Honestly, regarding age, it depends a lot on the type of fracture and your motivation. I wanted to be here and I suffered a lot not to be in Misano. It's very important to try to be focused and have a good team and good help to do the right things. And also the motivation to get back on the bike as quickly as possible. »
What parts of your treatment and your mind have allowed you to be here? And what is your current condition?
“First of all, for this kind of fracture, they just put a nail in the tibia. This is also the case for normal people and not just pilots. So normal people are also able to greatly reduce the time to heal. It is very important that the operation goes well and I felt much better than I did seven years ago. Because the fracture was different, but also because medicine has progressed a lot. I remember that in 2010, after the operation, I had five or six very difficult days. This time, the next day, I was able to go home, so I think medicine has progressed a lot. And you know, motivation is very important in this case. I, like all the other boys, want to come back as soon as possible because that's what we love and what we want to do. I think it also makes a difference in shortening the time.
As for my condition, it's up to you to decide (laughs). »
You had to take a medical test here, how did it go? Were you worried about this?
“I was quite positive about this test because I was in a much worse condition last time at the Sachsenring. Today I am able to walk without the crutch. The weight you can put on the leg is very important, and that's already pretty good for me. They test everything, mobility of the hip and knee, as well as the visual condition of the leg, if it has a good color, but that was pretty easy. »
When did you start to think you might be in Aragon?
“From the first days, I understood that I was suffering a lot less, compared to the last time, so I thought the time would be shorter. But the first week was still difficult. But after 10 days it started to improve a lot every day, and I started to have good sensations with my hip and my leg, so also thinking about Aragon. I knew it would be difficult but it was three weeks ago. I also spoke with my guys, with my team, and I think it was very important to try to ride the bike. It will of course be very difficult to finish the race in Aragon but it is very important not to miss another one, also because after that there are three weeks before Motegi. This is very important for the last part of the season, also to understand precisely what we need to do regarding the leg to get back to the top. »
What are your goals for this race? 10 years ago, you fought for the podium until the last turn and finished fourth…
“Yes, last time it was a big surprise. I missed the podium in the last corner with Stoner. But it was also a surprise for me. It's hard to say. Now it's a little different because the level is very high, but in particular even the last driver is 1,5 seconds from pole position. I don't know my level. I have to figure it out tomorrow. Above all, it is very important to try to improve day after day, both with the feeling on the bike and with the leg. And, already, running the race or finishing the race is a good goal. Maybe take some points too. But it's very early to say it and it's better to talk about it tomorrow. »
Tomorrow, will you have two new chassis or just one?
“I think we have the same two bikes this time, and it will be easier. »
Did you get to speak with Van der Mark and how does he feel?
“(Laughs). No, I haven't spoken with Van der Mark, but you know, Yamaha is very close to me and Lin (Jarvis) went to the hospital on Friday, a day after the operation, and then came to my house a week later. He always followed me and we already agreed. He told me “we are ready, but if you are able to come, we are happy”. So I think Van der Mark, during the last few days, understood that it might be difficult to ride this weekend (laughs). »
Social media question: after your accident, which drivers would you have chosen to drive the ambulance, perform the operation and act as a nurse?
“(Laughs). To do the operation, my brother, because I can trust him. To drive the ambulance, Morbidelli, and to act as a nurse, Bulega, because he has long hair, so… (laughs). »
Photo credit : MotoGP.com
