This is a Valentino Rossi who admits himself to being relieved to have finished with his Saturday of the Catalan Grand Prix. The most important thing is certainly yet to come, but with four Yamahas in the top 5, the Doctor cannot be choosy, even if, on a regular basis, he is the last of the quartet. Finally... It is no longer since the mistigri returned to a Viñales penalized three places for having hindered...Quartararo on the satellite Yamaha during qualifying.
At Mugello, Valentino Rossi was on the verge of despair. But in Catalonia, the “Doctor” is in a good mood. Two weeks can make a huge difference. In Italy, Valentino Rossi finished 18th on Friday and Saturday in Montmeló, he finished seventh on Friday and fifth after qualifying on Saturday.
« It was another day that we were able to enjoy, with a good pace » declared the still green forty-year-old. “ It looks like Yamaha is competitive here because we have four bikes in the top five. This is good news for us. It went well in FP3 and we were able to stay in the top 10. In the afternoon, with the high temperatures, we suffered a little more. But we weren't the only ones. All drivers tried different tire combinations front and rear. The right choice of tire will be the key to success in racing... Basically, all three mixtures are possible. So we need to think about it very carefully ».
« I was really relieved today after FP3, because in Mugello we suffered a bitter defeat. Also at Jerez and Le Mans we did not enter Q2. But this morning I felt good and we made a very good plan. It's important to go straight into Q2, because in Q1 you always have a lot of fast drivers, so it's difficult to get one of the first two places. It's different in Q2, where everyone advances at their own pace ».
Red is fast in the first two sectors of the Montmeló route. But then he wastes time. “ In Q2, I unfortunately did one lap more than expected with the first tire, because I was behind Dovi. But the front tire was slightly damaged. On the second outing I lost grip after the second sector at the front, which cost me a few tenths. So I couldn't improve anymore ».
On the fact that Marc Márquez followed him in FP3 then in Q2, he comments: “ Márquez is not only fast, he is also very intelligent as he constantly studies his opponents with great care. He knows exactly who to follow or who is following him. Ultimately you have to decide: Either you twist the throttle and you don't have a fast lap. Or you stay flat out and ride in front of him – and you can go for a quick lap. He doesn't give you a choice. I was very focused, because I wanted to be on the first two rows. That’s why I decided to stay all in. It was the right decision. Because I rode in 1'39,7 a good lap ».
« Maybe Márquez continues to follow me because he lacks experience " smiles Red. " He must therefore study my trajectory. No, jokes aside, Márquez can still be fast. He can immediately go to the limit after a slow lap... But he is curious. Therefore, he always wants to see where his rivals are passing. He wants to discover their weaknesses and strengths ».
In return, Red looked very carefully at the Honda Repsol from Márquez next to him when he made his departure attempt. “ I was curious and wanted to see how his Honda worked and how launch control worked, where the buttons were in his dashboard. I just wanted to know that ».
MotoGP Catalonia J2: classification after the penalty imposed on Viñales
