Leading at the end of the first tests in Valencia, at the top of the hierarchy after three days of testing in Malaysia, it is once again at the top of the timesheet that Maverick Vinales left a track during this offseason. This time it was Phillip Island. Three very different circuits, but with the same sanction inflicted by the new 23-year-old Yamaha official on his opponents. Which did not escape Marc Márquez who would have liked to follow him on the Australian track…
More Maverick Vinales noticed that he was in his aspiration as he completed his simulated race. An exercise that he stopped as soon as he saw that the five-time World Champion was moving in his wake. Yes, the duel between Vinales et Márquez began : " I don’t really know what to say about that. » commented on speedweek the 23-year-old Spaniard about his compatriot who is celebrating his 24th birthday today.
« I was doing a race simulation and then I realized he had been following me for five laps. So I cut it. The circuit is still big enough that we don't end up in exactly the same place. ". The atmosphere is therefore calm. Including at Yamaha: “ as always, I am confident, as I was in Malaysia and as I will be in Qatar. This morning I felt good, I put on fresh tires and I did my time ».
At the same time, Valentino Rossi procrastinated. But the Spaniard is careful not to go too far in his analyses: “ I am certainly not the leader at Yamaha. Underestimating Valentino would be a big mistake » he specifies on GP One.
« I'm happy because we tried everything we had to test. The feedback has been positive. I am constantly progressing. I'm going to Qatar happy, even if I know there is still work to do. I knew that Márquez would also go below 1'29. This season will be fun. But we are not yet as we should be for the last laps ».
The wear of the rear tire at the end of the race, which was also a weakness of the Yamaha in 2016, therefore remains to be managed: “ I'm focused on how I set up my bike, I don't worry about Rossi's work. I saw that he had tried a lot of things. I prefer to focus on myself and gain confidence. I am reassured for Qatar even if it will be harder because the Ducatis will be there ».
Now we will remember that Casa Particular in Viñales also has weaknesses. His aggressiveness in close combat remains to be demonstrated and in the rain, it seems that he also needs to improve. On Márquez, He specifies : " Marc is very strong when braking, he brakes really late. We need to be better at this. But I'm ready and so is the bike. Certainly, there is still work to be done on the electronics and on my way of driving which is sometimes still too aggressive. I move the bike a little too much ». Casa Particular in Viñales already fine-tuning while others continue to refine...
