#CatalanGP: The press conference with Rossi, Vinales, Marquez, Dovizioso, Petrucci and Bautista

Like every Thursday before a Grand Prix, six drivers were present to answer questions from journalists and Internet users. World Championship leader Maverick Vinales was joined by teammate Valentino Rossi, as well as reigning World Champion Marc Marquez, Mugello winner Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci third and Alvaro Bautista fifth in Italy.

Maverick Vinales:

“We are in good spirits. In Mugello I became stronger. Every time I get back on the handlebars, I feel comfortable. It's also important for my team to have good discussions, even if the machine is working well. For this meeting, we will have to complete many laps to gain experience on the new track, while working for Sunday. In Italy it was difficult for the tires and it will be the same this weekend, but we will do our best to have a decent race. We have different settings and we will have to be ready, no matter the conditions. I remember my first victory here very well, I love this circuit and the fans who come there. »

Valentino Rossi:

“My physical condition is improving, but to be 100% I would need an extra week. It's a shame for the Championship, because these are the two best meetings of the season. It's already good to have been able to have a good race at Mugello and to race in front of all these spectators. I didn't have any particular pain while riding, thanks to the painkillers, but I knew I had to grit my teeth for the distance. Obviously a week off helps and I hope to feel better this weekend. We will have to get to work on Friday morning. We haven't had the chance to do any testing here. We will therefore have to find the right trajectory quickly and evaluate the potential of our bike. My mistake at Le Mans has serious consequences for the Championship, but others have also made them. The season is still long... I will continue to fight for the podium by doing good races. »

Marc Marquez:

“All races are important, but this one is even more so. In front of my family and my fans, I will try to give more of myself in order to fight for victory. It won't be easy, you'll have to work hard for it and this Sunday it should be very hot. We will therefore have to find the best compromise in terms of tires. At Mugello we weren't so bad at the start of the weekend, but on Sunday we realized that the hard tire might not last until the end. So I had no other choice than to go with mediums, which suited me less. Hoping the feeling is different this time. Concerning the final portion of the route, it is very different from the first. I was able to discover it in private testing. It took me a little time to get used to it but it is interesting. »

Andrea Dovizioso:

“This Italian GP was unreal. I spent thirteen laps behind Maverick, I then did the last ten in the lead and frankly I didn't expect it, given my physical condition that morning. But I got off to a good start, I had a good feeling and we managed well. Ducati worked really well at Mugello, it was great to win there […] Barcelona is a totally different track. The Private Test, organized two weeks ago here, did not go so well. A certain uncertainty therefore reigns around this weekend. It's up to us to confirm whether the speed is there or not. But it will be difficult for everyone. The track seems very bumpy, the grip decreases very quickly. In addition, fairly high temperatures are forecast for Sunday. But we approach this race with confidence. »

Danilo Petrucci:

“Everyone asks me how I celebrated this result, but to be honest there was no celebration. On the other hand, I must have given 300 or 400 interviews… I just went home and watched the race. From Saturday we knew we could be fast and close to the Top 5, but I didn't expect that. It's part of my process. I am making positive progress since Austin by getting closer to Dovizioso. It’s not over yet and I’m glad I’ve hit my stride. For this event, it will be crucial to make the right choice of tires and find the right settings. »

Alvaro Bautista:

“From the start I felt good on this bike. My pace in the race has always been good, with the exception of Austin, because it is a track on which I felt less comfortable. In Qatar I was fighting for a Top 5 when I crashed. I then finished fifth in Argentina and I could have scored good results also in Jerez and Le Mans without these mistakes. Otherwise we would have been better placed in the Championship. In Mugello we were fast. I also qualified better, which allowed me to approach the race more calmly. And above all, it was important to finish after these two blank results. This result was important both for me and for my team. But we need to be more consistent. »

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