Motegi MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix: Was Nakasuga on the 2019 Yamaha? Valentino Rossi responds.

Sometimes there are statistics that hurt...

While Tom Luthi et Xavier Simeon are still looking for their first points after 16 Grands Prix in the premier category, the experienced wild card Katsuyuki Nakasuga scored 2 in his only appearance at the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

So yes, of course, the Yamaha M1 is arguably an easier bike to ride than the Honda RC213V. To be convinced of this, you only have to see the performance of Tito Rabat et Jack Miller since they changed creameries…

But does this mean that the Japanese pilot had, as one could assume a priori, of a 2019 prototype of future machines Maverick Vinales et Valentino Rossi ?

Against all expectations, the latter gave a negative response during his press conference…

Valentino Rossi : " I do not think so. Nakasuga's machine is not much different from our motorcycles. Let’s wait for the tests in Valencia to see if we have anything to try.”

So let’s wait, and still salute the Japanese’s performance…