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MotoGP, Vinales: "I'm focused, calm and under no pressure"

Marquez reveals: "The passes by Rossi and Maverick in Qatar helped me to understand what we need"

MotoGP: Vinales: "I'm focused, calm and under no pressure"

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The second press conference of the season for the MotoGP riders. Present and correct in the media room at the Termas de Rio Hondo track are Vinales, Dovizioso, Marquez, Rossi, A. Espargarò and Redding. Here's what they had to say in the run-up to the Argentinian race.

Vinales: “It's my first time here with the Yamaha, I think we can be competitive and fast – said the Spaniard – I hope for a calm weekend with no weather issues”. The Yamaha rider hasn't forget his win of two weeks ago: “We hope to enjoy ourselves after the incredible Qatar weekend – he revealed - I've worked on keeping focused and feel relaxed, I just want to continue at this level with no pressure and with the right stimuli". He has no doubts in terms of the set-up he'll be using: “I'll start with the base set-up – he concluded - I know I'm comfortable with it and we'll continue on that path”

Alongside him is Andrea Dovizioso, ready to fight back: “In Argentina we've never battled for the win, but we've come close on a few occasions -  commented the Italian - the track is always very dirty and as a result it's not easy to work”. There's a little disappointment on his face after the second place at Losail: “Coming within four tenths of the win is always a little disappointing, but I'm feeling confident – said the Ducati man - I knew my potential and think I managed the race in the right way. If I'd known before the race that I'd finish second, I would have been happy”.

#4 arrives in South America after testing at Jerez: “It's difficult to say if it was a good test or not – he explained -  it was just me and Jorge, no other riders”. As for his new team-mate, Andrea is in no doubt: “Lorenzo will learn with each lap, here at Rio Hondo the grip perhaps isn't the best and this won't help him very much”. Referring back to last year, no-one has forgotten the incident that took place between Dovi and Iannone: “Lorenzo has a different approach to Andrea – he underlined with a smile - the important thing is that we reach the finish line with a different gap to 2016”.

Marc Marquez is also looking to improve at Rio Hondo after finishing fourth at Losail: “The aim is always to reach the podium –  commented #93 - perhaps this track is more favourable for the Honda compared to Losail. Unfortunately the conditions change after every session though - he warned - we also have to consider the weather”. Marc is in no hurry anyway: “The track might be favourable, but that doesn't mean that we must win at all costs, it will depend on the package and performance”. The five-time champion knows what he needs, particularly if it's wet: “We're losing a little in acceleration, but are working to find a solution - he revealed – the Qatar race was useful in telling us what we need, particularly from seeing how Rossi and Vinales passed me.”

In Argentina Aleix Espargarò opts for the path of continuity, after his sixth place finish at Losail: “During the winter we were working to be more competitive with the tyres and we made good progress –commented the Spaniard - I have to admit that I'd never had as much fun as I did this time in Qatar. We know there's still work to do, but we're excited about what we've already done”.

He needs to take a step forward in qualifying however: “When you start further back it's always hard to catch-up – he explained – we need to improve in acceleration, to be in the top ten in Q2”.

Scott Redding is also present at role call. His pre-season disappointment is now a distant memory: “Winter testing didn't go as we'd hoped, but then at Losail we found the right path, and gained confidence – said the Brit – I can also be fast on the flying lap and want to continue along this path”.

Seeing Petrucci on the GP17 doesn't seem to bother him: “Right now I'm getting on well with the GP16 – he revealed - sometimes I see that the new bike still has problems. In five or six races time I might give you a different answer" .

Translated by Heather Watson
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