This pre-Grand Prix press conference'Aragon brought together Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, alex rins et Brad Binder.
As usual, in order to avoid any abusive journalistic interpretation, we offer you a “raw” translation of the entirety of the words of Valentino Rossi.
3 races, 3 podiums…
“Yes, the second part of the season is pretty good. Unfortunately, I couldn't win a race, but I took some points and tried to make up for some mistakes made during the first half of the season. You know, the gap with Marc remains very important, because I had some good results and a few podiums in the last races, but I just recovered a little bit. But anyway, we have to try to continue like this because we are working well and we are still quite competitive. But I think this weekend it will be a little more difficult because it's not one of the best tracks for me. Last year, we worked a lot and struggled during testing and, in the end, the race was quite good. I was strong and had a lot of fun during the fight, even though I lost. So we have to start from this point and try to be competitive, because certainly all the Spanish drivers are very difficult to beat here. »
An incredible season with 8 different winners…
“Yes, this is something that no one expected, because in recent years the names that won were more or less the same, whatever the conditions. But in the last 8 races, you have 8 different names. It's sure that it's interesting for the championship, it's more difficult, things are more balanced between all the riders but also between the different bikes, and if the conditions change, you have different names which are always very strong. This is also why we must try to always be there, and try to get on the podium. »
You went cycling yesterday...
" Yes. No, luckily I didn't get on the bike (laughs), it was a good idea that I just rode a bit. We know these two big names and I always follow cycling, because even if I don't ride it, it's interesting. »
Which circuits are now favorable to you?
It's always very difficult to know or say in advance where you can win or where you can struggle more, especially this year with the different tires, but there are still 5 races to go and the most important thing for me is to score points. points in every race and try to get on the podium in every race until the end. And the second objective is to try to win, but you never know where, and you have to try to give your best everywhere, and then you see. »
What is difficult to do with the Yamaha on this circuit?
“There are a few very tight corners where you have to accelerate from a low speed, especially after the second chicane you start again from a very low speed and a difficult corner, then there is a very long straight and in this type of acceleration, we usually lose a little bit, we suffer a little bit. But in other places the bike is good because there are changes of direction with long, fast and fluid turns, which is where our bike is good. You have a lot of inclined braking, where usually we suffered a little, but... as my said, you never know, this year everything is different with the tires and we have to wait, but I think that more or less, the points are these. »
If you don't win the title, what is most important to you? Come second in the championship or score the most victories?
" Both! (laughs). You know, second place is much less important than winning the championship. It's more or less on the same level because winning races is awesome. But we must try to do both. »
Do you think Nicky Hayden can win this weekend?
“You know, it happened once with Bayliss in Valencia in 2006. I remember it very well (laughs). I'm very happy to see Nicky here because he's a nice guy. I have spoken with him before and I think he will be comfortable with the Michelins, because he was always strong with the Michelins in the past. So he can have a good weekend and a good race. »
Who could be the 9th winner this year?
“I think Dovizioso. »