Physical condition requires, it was quite briefly (for once) that Valentino Rossi answered questions from journalists after the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.
Here is our translation of all of his words expressed in English in Yamaha hospitality, which will complete our series already published.
“Of course it's a shame about the podium because it's always a goal, but here in Mugello it's even more important in front of the whole crowd. And honestly, I tried to do what I could, because during the tests, I was pretty fast. But deep down, I knew that 23 laps would be difficult because I was suffering more than normal and during practice, when you do four or five laps, it's a recovery story, but all in a row, it's more difficult. When there were eight laps to go, I was already done, I started to suffer more, and when you ride this bike and you are not 100% in your movements, everything becomes more difficult.
So I tried not to give up and stay behind Petrux, but unfortunately I wasn't strong enough to attack him. I'm really sorry about the podium, that's for sure, but on the other hand, while I think that on Tuesday maybe I couldn't race, it was still a good race. »
What exactly was your potential apart from your physical condition?
“In my opinion, I was pretty strong. I could fight. Today, the Ducatis were very good and were therefore able to use the medium rear tire while for us, the Yamahas, we had to use the hard and we had perhaps a little less grip. So they are in good shape, but for me, personally, the problem was my physical condition. During the last laps, I couldn't give a little more because I was already done (laughs)”
Do you think you will be OK for Barcelona?
“You know, it would be better if I had an extra week. But we have two races in a row, so it will be tough. But for sure if I continue to recover like this for a week, it will be good. »
Andrea Migno made you happy today…
“It was a great day because we are very happy and very proud for Migno because what he did was fantastic. I didn't cry but I was very moved and I congratulated him and told him that we were very proud. This is also very important for the team, but we are also very happy for Pasini because he had the race that all Italian drivers dream of during the night (laughs)! He was fantastic and I'm very happy for him. He deserves it, especially after the physical problems he has. He was fantastic. »
Have you adapted the settings of your motorcycle to your physical condition to be more comfortable?
" No ! I think the settings were good. »
Following on from my question yesterday, if you had had slightly less competitive drivers against you, do you think you could have fought today?
“You know, it’s something that doesn’t happen, because we’re in MotoGP! All the best drivers in the world want to come here, so you are definitely fighting against the best. This is the strong point of this championship. »
Barcelona was a Yamaha circuit, but with the new chicane it seems that it favors the Hondas…
“It’s impossible to say! But I'm a little worried because in Barcelona the asphalt is very bad and the grip level is very low. And this year, in Jerez, in these conditions, we struggled with our motorcycles. But it's very difficult to say. Anyway, I love Barcelona, even with the new layout, so we have to try. »
Grand Prix results:
1- Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP
2- Maverick Vinales – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.281
3- Danilo Petrucci – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 2.334
4- Valentino Rossi – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 3.685
5- Alvaro Bautista – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 5.802
6- Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – + 5.885
7- Johann Zarco – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 13.205
8- Jorge Lorenzo – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 14.393
9- Michele Pirro – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 14.880
10- Andrea Iannone – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR – + 15.502
11- Tito Rabat – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V – + 22.004
12- Scott Redding – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 24.952
13- Jonas Folger – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 28.160
14- Hector Barbera – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 30.676
15- Jack Miller – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V – + 30.779
16- Karel Abraham – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP15 – + 42.306
17- Sylvain Guintoli – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR – + 46.294
18- Loris Baz – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP15 – + 50.731
19- Sam Lowes – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia RS-GP – + 50.740
20- Bradley Smith – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16 – + 50.897
Provisional ranking of the World Championship:
1 Maverick VIÑALES-Yamaha 105 points
2 Andrea DOVIZIOSO-Ducati 79
3 Valentino ROSSI-Yamaha 75
4 Marc MARQUEZ-Honda 68
5 Dani PEDROSA-Honda 68
6 Johann ZARCO-Yamaha 64
7 Jorge LORENZO-Ducati 46
8 Danilo PETRUCCI-Ducati 42
9 Jonas FOLGER-Yamaha 41
10 Cal CRUTCHLOW-Honda 40
11 Scott REDDING-Ducati 30
12 Jack MILLER-Honda 30
13 Alvaro BAUTISTA-Ducati 25
14 Andrea IANNONE-Suzuki 21
15 Loris BAZ-Ducati 19
