Everything has to be done again. The lights of Qatar were only an illusion, a glimmer of hope quickly extinguished by this first day spent in Argentina. Valentino Rossi and the 2017 Yamaha chassis is not it, and the Doctor couldn't try the front tire announced by Michelin. Quite simply because it wasn't available yet.
A soft front tire with a hard casing that Michelin brought to Termas de Rio Hondo to echo the concern of certain drivers. But the product arrived late. And it was therefore not proposed this Friday to the pilots: “ I was happy to try it » announces the Doctor on Motorsport. " But alas, we didn't get it. Maybe we can test it tomorrow morning ". Weather permitting. But in any case, Vale already warns that it will not be a panacea...
« The current rubber is too soft. We're going to put it to the test, but we're really bad. So maybe we won't even have time to put it together. I don't have the right feeling when entering turns. I'm not fast enough. I lose time on every turn. In Qatar, we managed to progress. We will have to do the same thing here ».
Anonymous sixteenth, he coldly analyzes his situation: “ I still have a lot of movement with the front tire. I can't get into corners fast. And I don't know if it's the tire, the bike or me ". A heavy uncertainty.
« The bike is very different from last year. And compared to other Yamahas before. We have tried many things, but we are in the same situation as that experienced in Qatar. Last year, everything came more naturally. But Viñales is riding in front so the bike is good. We must understand ».
MotoGP J.1 ranking:
1. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 39.477s
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 39.778s +0.301s
3. Karel Abraham CZE Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 39.880s +0.403s
4. Alvaro Bautista ESP Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 39.922s +0.445s
5. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 39.960s +0.483s
6. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 40.120s +0.643s
7. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 40.124s +0.647s
8. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)*
1m 40.157s +0.680s
9. Alex Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 40.175s +0.698s
10. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)
1m 40.250s +0.773s
11. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 40.338s +0.861s
12. Johann zarco ENG Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)*
1m 40.340s +0.863s
13. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 40.345s +0.868s
14. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 40.399s +0.922s
15. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 40.431s +0.954s
16. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 40.531s +1.054s
17. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 40.588s +1.111s
18. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17)
1m 40.599s +1.122s
19. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 40.908s +1.431s
20. alex rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 1m 41.083s +1.606s
21. Espargaro Pol ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 41.632s +2.155s
22. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 42.074s +2.597s
23. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)*
1m 42.179s +2.702s
