#GermanGP The press conference

On this very humid Thursday afternoon, the traditional press conference received, on the eve of testing for the German Grand Prix, the ninth race of the season, Andrea Dovizioso, Maverick Vinales, Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Danilo Petrucci and Jonas Folger

Valentino Rossi:

“I'm very happy with this victory because I haven't won for over a year. The race was superb, the emotion at the finish was very great, but it was also very important for the Championship. This season is interesting: different riders on different motorcycles stand in one pocket. The situation ultimately changes from one weekend to the next. Everything is open and I'm not that far away. It will be important to be competitive also on this track, which is nothing compared to Assen. Last year I wasn't so bad, but the race afterwards was completely crazy. It had turned into flag-to-flag. I had returned a little late and unfortunately it had not been the right strategy. This year, the weather forecast seems to predict bad weather as well. We will therefore have to be prepared to face any conditions. But I hope it will be totally dry or totally wet. »

Andrea Dovizioso:

“Leading the Championship seems a bit strange to me... But I'm happy with what we've managed to achieve in these first eight races. It's like a dream. We have adopted a good way of working, even in Assen. After Maverick's crash, my times were fast, but with five laps to go, the conditions were not ideal. It was easy to make a mistake. Tire wear was critical and it was difficult to know whether this was due to the rain or the lack of grip. So I didn't want to take any unnecessary risks. Regarding the weather this weekend, it's nothing new. We already have some experience of these conditions here. We must take advantage of a dry track tomorrow to evaluate the tires offered by Michelin; no one has any feedback. Rain could appear on Sunday and anything can happen. »

Maverick Vinales:

« I'm of course disappointed, but on the other hand I was also very lucky that Andrea was able to avoid me. In any case I remain motivated, I know that we were competitive in Assen, especially in the dry. This is why I am calm. I know we can get back on top. Of course I would prefer to be at the top of the championship. Unfortunately we made mistakes, but we learned, especially in the rain, which will help us this weekend. Last year, I was quite strong at the Sachsenring, even if it's a rather physical track. This track suits me well. We will continue to work hard and give our all, both in the race and in qualifying because we were quite far back on the grid in the last few events. It's more difficult, we necessarily take more risks. So we will have to be there whatever the situation. »

Marc Marquez:

“The Sachsenring is a circuit that usually succeeds for us. But the situation will be different this year with the new surface, which could influence the tires and the grip. The weather will once again be the unknown for the weekend, but I have a good feeling. Despite the difficulties encountered, we are still there and we manage to finish on the podium. It is complicated to predict the rest of the Championship. Two races ago, I was 37 lengths behind Maverick. I am now seven points behind him and 11 behind Dovizioso. The season is still long. So we have to work hard and continue with the same mindset. »

Danilo Petrucci:

“I have full confidence. I really didn't expect to be so fast in the dry in Assen. The light rain allowed me to follow Valentino. The motorcycle runs very well. Regarding the Sachsenring, I had good pace on the dry track. In the wet, however, I tried to push harder and I crashed. The weather will be an important parameter, but not only that. The new coating will make a big difference, but it will be the same for everyone. It's a great emotion to be there fighting with these drivers who are fighting in the title race. I'm in a good position and I have nothing to lose. My main objective is not to make the same mistake as last year by making a mistake. »

Jonas Folger:

“I’m very happy to be here. This German crowd is incredible, it's really an incredible feeling to feel all this support around me. So far the season has gone pretty well. Since the winter, we said to ourselves that we could perhaps reach the Top 10. But our results were immediately better, which necessarily increases our expectations. We know on good days that a Top 6 is therefore possible. We're still trying to improve, I think we have good speed. We just have to be able to demonstrate it every weekend, even if it's not easy for me because I have to learn everything. But if I can find good settings from the start, we can do a good job. I just need a little more experience. »