In 2017, Valentino Rossi had his worst season with Yamaha. Only one victory, acquired at Assen, and, in the end, a fifth place overall. Nothing to brag about then, but Yamaha wasn't in its best form either while we won't forget that the Doctor also experienced the pangs of a fracture and, therefore, a loss. What dulls his motivation? Nay, he’s already announcing that he’ll be there in 2019… At least!
Yamaha is working on a 2018 season which should be one of redemption. Because the 2017 vintage was disconcerting. After an encouraging start to the campaign made up of victories and podiums, the official M1s then got lost on their technical path before slipping down the hierarchy. Meanwhile, the Tech3 satellite team held firm on the ramp with a 2016 opus well surrounded by Johann zarco beginner and his team.
A situation which undermined the morale of the young and promising Casa Particular in Viñales. So what about the form of a more than decorated veteran who has nothing left to gain? The opportunity to bow out? This is very poor knowledge of the man from Tavullia…
Vale will decide in the middle of the 2018 season what its future will be. Stop or still? On radio Deejay, he has already given a good indication: “ next year, I will leave again for a season and, after evaluation, I will decide if I continue for another year or two ". By considering the possibility of running beyond 2018, and even beyond 2019, Valentino is going even further than the revelations made to us on this subject Carlo Pernat (see here) !
From now on, it seems that there is no longer much doubt: The Doctor will still be there in 2019!
