This pre-event conference for the 2016 edition of the Japanese Grand Prix brought together Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Maverick Vinales, Andrea Dovizioso and Bradley Smith.
We therefore offer you a full “raw” translation of Valentino Rossi’s words, without any journalistic formatting or distortion.
You have just made 4 successive podiums; you couldn't do much better than keep putting on the pressure...
" Yes. Here is usually a good track for us. Lots of podiums for me over the years, but not many wins, but it's also a good track for our bike, for the Yamaha which is always competitive here. But every year is different, so as always during this season we have to understand the standard of the tires, try to make the right choice, and the weather and also always a bit difficult. Last year it was good until Sunday, then everything changed on Sunday until it rained. I'm hoping it can be dry all weekend, and also that the temperatures will be a little warmer because today is very cold and it could be more difficult. But we'll see! We have to work well, give the maximum and try to fight, try to have a good race. »
There are few weeks left to chase Marc…
“Yes, three races in a row are always complicated. This is not the best thing, because you may have a small problem during the first one, and you pay dearly for it. Honestly, I don't like three races in a row very much. It is also a great stress. But on the other hand, you stay on the bike many times, so you can go faster and faster, and they are also three fantastic circuits. I love Motegi, but at Phillip Island in particular, and also Sepang, it's always a great pleasure to ride a MotoGP on these three circuits. »
How do you cope with jet lag?
“For me, it’s a disaster (laughs). No, I'm not very well, but it will get better. I hope so (laughs). »
Furthermore, questioned by AS immediately after the official part of the press conference about Lin Jarvis' supposed decision not to let Lorenzo ride at the Ducati Jerez tests, Valentino Rossi said: “When I found out, it seemed foreign to me, but it is difficult to say whether it is a right or wrong measure. For sure, we will have to pay attention to the Lorenzo-Ducati pair, but I don't think a test changes the balance of things, either for good or for bad. Yamaha must have its motives for doing this. In the past years we have seen different situations, for example when Honda did not allow me to try the Yamaha until the following year”
