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MotoGP, Rossi: we need to stay optimistic but it's tough

"Before working in preparation for 2018, we need to focus on this weekend. Phillip Island is as beautiful as it is difficult"

MotoGP: Rossi: we need to stay optimistic but it's tough

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Valentino is still suffering the consequences of the Japanese GP, or rather of the crash that ruled him out of the race. “I'm feeling a bit better, the leg I broke isn't causing me any problems. But I'm suffering some pain in my shoulder. I hope it doesn't bother me on the bike” he explains on arriving in Australia.

His physical condition is not his only worry, in fact there are several. The weather is as uncertain as ever and the Doctor is experiencing one of his toughest periods on board the M1. “If I think about last year, I completed a good race here. But in winter testing I was very slow”... 

He's been having to answer the same question for a few races now: why so many problems?

This season there have been weekends where we've really struggled and where we were unable to solve our problems. We've been missing something - he replies - During a GP I always try to be optimistic, otherwise it becomes even more difficult, but we've had some really complicated weekend. If I think about Motegi, Jerez and Barcelona, the problems we had at those tracks on Friday were the same ones I had come Sunday in the race. We need to get the rear tyre working”.

Easy to say but not so easy to do, Valentino continues to talk with his team and the Japanese engineers but it appears there is no quick fix.

There won't be any new parts, we'll have to work on set-up and weight distribution and hope that it's dry. I'm continuing to talk to the Yamaha engineers but we're more focused on tomorrow than next year. Before working on 2018, we need to look at the upcoming weekend”.

Phillip Island is a track where a rider needs to be able to trust the bike.

Trust is important because it's a track where you need to be brave, it's as beautiful as it is tough - he explains - Then the weather is so unpredictable that you can experience all four seasons in one day. Looking at the forecast, it looks like it will be cold, it will be especially tough if it rains. At least it's less physical than Motegi”.

Lastly, he touches on the title fight between Marquez and Dovizioso.

It's great because they are just a few points apart and are the two strongest guys right now - comments Valentino - Dovi is growing and riding really well, he has surprised me, though not last Sunday”.

Translated by Heather Watson
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