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MotoGP, Valentino Rossi: Misano is a race all of its own

On his mixed results in practice: "I had two tyres that gave me problems, I hope Michelin solves this for tomorrow"

Valentino Rossi: Misano is a race all of its own

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Valentino Rossi has been on a rollercoaster ride at Misano. He was the fastest in the first and final practices, then 6th in the second and the third. Finally, when it really counted in qualifying, he made sure he was ready and earned second place on the grid, giving way to a practically perfect Lorenzo.

Valentino, how can you explain these mixed results?
The tyres, they weren't always perfect. Up until this GP, the performance of the Michelins has been good but this weekend I had a problem with a hard tyre yesterday and with a soft today, again at the rear, right when I wanted to complete a fast lap this morning”.

Have you spoken to Michelin?
Yes, we need to understand the reason ahead of the race. I hope they are able to sort it out and provide everyone with perfect tyres tomorrow".

Will the tyres be the key?
The choice is wide open, particularly at the front. Also at the rear but I have some doubts. Up until this morning I was sure about the soft, but after I had the problem I tried a hard in the last ten minutes and was very fast. Usually I like a tyre that gives me greater stability, but the truth is that no-one knows how the two compounds might behave in the second half of the race. We need to wait and see what the weather does”.

Lorenzo in pole is a problem…
“When Jorge is on form like this he tries to break away and we need to stop him doing that, but he won't be my only rival. The two Hondas also have great pace, Pedrosa will have more difficulty at first, starting from the third row, Marquez will be in the mix. Then there's Vinales, he's quick too”.

Does it help to start from the front row?
Yes because Misano is a narrow track where it's hard to pass. It's a tough track for both the tyres and the riders, with continuous braking and acceleration. It's not easy to give it your all over 28 laps”.

They also cancelled one of your lap times during qualifying…
I went outside the track limits, but didn't realise it in the moment. I just saw that I was lying eighth and asked myself, but how fast are the others going? (he laughs). Luckily I was able to make another good lap”.

What impact does racing at home have on you?
On one side, there's a lot of pressure, it's tough to move around the paddock, but all that goes away at 2pm when the race starts. At that point it all becomes special, there's a great atmosphere, like being at a party, but unfortunately none of that gives us extra tenths (he laughs)”.

Do you still believe there's no point thinking about the championship?
Like I said, Misano is a race all of its own. I have to do your best to try to reach the podium or perhaps fight for the win. A result like that would really help in terms of the standings”.

There are some doubts about the weather forecast…
Ours don't forecast rain, but last year it did rain just before the race. If it was 4 or 5 degrees cooler than today perhaps it would be even better. The M1 seems to behave well when conditions - both the temperature and track - are perfect. I know I have good pace”.

And the helmet?
It's fantastic, The Blues Brothers is my favourite film and I wanted to do something with Uccio. And Chicago sounds a little like Misano”.

Translated by Heather Watson
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