As usual, we offer you a translation of the full responses of the first three drivers during the post-GP press conference.
The only clarification that was usefully provided by the image is that the Yamaha rider seemed surprisingly unmarked at the end of the race. Apart from that, writing a few introductory lines at this point would already direct the information in this or that direction; not doing so allows you to form your own opinion.
The vast majority of questions having been asked of Valentino Rossi, we are publishing his answers in two parts.
Good reading.
Valentino, 113th victory; a perfect weekend?
“Yes, you can't expect anything better. We started well on Friday, I feel good with the bike, yesterday I was first and first, especially with pole position, so it was very good. But the best is today! From the beginning to the end. When I was on the grid I knew I could have a good pace, but during the race it is always more difficult. On the grid, my mechanic, Brent, said to me: “first from the first corner to the last” and I thought maybe that was a good idea and I would try (laughs).
I had a good start, I felt good with the bike from the start, I had good grip. I started to hear the noise (from Lorenzo's bike) a little further away, so I thought I might have a slight advantage. I tried to attack and realized that I was going, lap after lap. It was the best feeling I could have had. »
Tires slipping but very regular times...
“Yes, I had a lot of slippage on the straights. It's very strange but it already happened yesterday during testing. I felt it a little. Today it was more so. So the last 10 or 12 laps I was spinning a lot, especially on the start straight and I started to worry. I slowed down because I thought the tire was going to heat up too much and start creating vibrations. So I started the straights at half power so as not to spin, and I slowed down a little. But the good thing was that the bike and the tires worked well in the corners, so I could stay in 40.8 or 40.9, and I realized that was enough. »
At the start, Jorge was very close to you…
“Yes, the start was fantastic, as was the first corner. I also felt like I had a slight advantage in the first round. But during the second round, I wasn't perfect and I just did 40.6 because, honestly, I didn't believe in this situation (laughs). Lorenzo overtook me but I knew I had good pace so I tried to come back again and from that moment I left. »
The Austin result is a shame, in view of the championship…
“Yes, my mistake in Austin is a shame because I could have taken a lot of points there, since I was fast. I made a mistake. Currently I can't watch the championship, I just have to stay focused race after race and try to be strong like today at Le Mans. »
You like Le Mans, but it’s a very different circuit from Jerez…
“You know, for me Jerez is important because usually you can understand your level there. Usually, if you are strong at Jerez, you can be strong at all European circuits. Maybe this is true, but maybe not...
I like Le Mans. It is a track suitable for Yamahas but it is also very difficult, as are the weather conditions. We must therefore try to work there as here, from Friday. »
Yesterday you said that the ideal situation would be to arrive at the last corner one second ahead. Did you think it would be so easy and what would be your next wish?
“Yes, the last corner here is definitely a bit dangerous; in the past we've seen a lot of aggressive overtaking there. Honestly, I expected to suffer more in the first round, because Lorenzo is still very strong. But I wanted to try to stay calm because I knew the tires gave me a good pace for the rest of the race. We had worked well with the worn tires, so I thought I just had to not make any mistakes and try to stay with him from the start. I also knew that Marquez had very good pace. Starting off the right way is easier and I especially had good grip from halfway through the first lap. I think that difference comes from the way we worked this weekend. »
During the warm up, you were very fast with the second bike. What was different about her?
“Yes, I was strong, especially with new tires and especially for pole position. Regarding the pace, I wasn't bad but it seemed like we had something more to try to win. So this morning, we decided to take another step forward, another modification to the bike to compare it to the other and improve braking and corner entry. I wasn't bad on the first bike but the second was a plus. I was able to be a little faster, drive better and have better lines. So, of course, this modification helped me to be stronger during the race. »
To be continued…