At first glance, just looking at the rankings, Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales seem, if not in the same boat, at least in the same boat.
However, the differences are numerous, starting with the equipment at their disposal. Valentino Rossi has in fact chosen to completely trust the “all new” chassis, and its two motorcycles are therefore equipped with it, while Maverick Vinales still has a 2017 first version chassis in its box.
Beyond that, the reactions of two pilots seem to be the opposite: completely negative for Maverick Vinales, rather positive for Valentino Rossi.
Tomorrow will undoubtedly teach us whether, today, it was better to see the glass half empty or half full... especially since rain is expected on Sunday.
Valentino Rossi, 14th: “the day was difficult, and I had some good feelings. I'm satisfied with FP1 in the wet because, this year, we struggled (in these conditions) whereas this morning, I was strong and not so bad considering the pace. I was able to ride the bike pretty well, and I finished in fifth position. Being in the top five isn't so bad. This afternoon it was a little more difficult because the conditions were mixed. I think it wasn't so bad, in the sense that, certainly I was behind but I didn't use a soft tire at the end. I had a problem on one of my bikes, I had to stop and when I left with the other, I preferred to continue with the medium tire. In the end, my position is bad, but if I had switched to a soft tire, I think I would have finished further ahead. It's only the first day. We have to work, especially on the balance of the bike which is not OK, but the sensations are quite good. »
FP2 ranking:
01- Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – 1'56.332
02- Jonas Folger – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.398
03- Danilo Petrucci – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.419
04- Johann Zarco – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.530
05- Hector Barbera – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.532
06- Scott Redding – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.573
07- Dani Pedrosa - Repsol Honda Team - Honda RC213V - + 0.601
08- Cal Crutchlow – LCR Honda – Honda RC213V – + 0.629
09- Aleix Espargaro – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia RS-GP – + 0.687
10- Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – + 0.877
11- Maverick Vinales – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.957
12- Alvaro Bautista – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.982
13- Pol Espargaro – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16 – + 1.046
14- Valentino Rossi – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.064
15- Jorge Lorenzo – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.305
16- Karel Abraham – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.537
17- Loris Baz – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.660
18- Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR – + 1.710
19- Jack Miller – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V – + 1.847
20- Andrea Iannone – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR – + 1.862
21- Tito Rabat – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V – + 2.105
22- Sam Lowes – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia RS-GP – + 2.306
23- Bradley Smith – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16 – + 3.050
