The Yamaha M1 is often unbeatable when it is well suited to a circuit, but underperforming in certain circumstances. Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales were able to see that she did not like the bumpy and hot Spanish tracks, like those of Jerez and Montmelo.
Valentino is currently in fifth position in the provisional ranking, with 83 points against 111 for the leader, his teammate Maverick Vinales, and 104 to the unexpected outsider of this start of the season Andrea Dovizioso.
The situation of Red is not ideal, but it is far from dramatic. First he lost big points (at least 20) when he crashed at Le Mans, and he has yet to win a victory this year. Once he gets back into the victorious spiral, everything will be easier.
All that remains is to hope that the Yamaha M1 2017 does not show too much bad character on certain circuits that are inhospitable to it.
“It is true that Viñales was very competitive with this bike, recognize Rossi, and in fact he won everything at the start of the season. He was fast and competitive, and it seemed natural to think this was the right direction.
“I realize that going back is never pleasant, but we need to rediscover the feeling of 2016. Yamaha's strong point has always been cornering and speed on the corner, mine too.
“With 2017, we lost this strength. After Jerez, I asked Yamaha for some things that we will test in the coming days. I hope to see the feeling of last year return.
“We need to rediscover that feeling of 2016, to be more competitive with less effort. I raced the 1 M2016 and I'm a good test rider: from the first moment I went out with the 2017 I felt it was harder to turn.
“With this bike we have to lean more and more into the corner, which puts more stress on the tires. »
Photos © Yamaha
source: SportRider
