English
Italiano
We shouldn't be surprised any more, Valentino is Sunday man, or race man if you prefer. After his 350th Grand Prix, he reached the podium for the 223rd time, having toughed it further down the field during practice, only to place among the best once the green line gave way to the only moment of the weekend that really counts.
“It's not magic, we work like this - he smiles after opening his umpteenth bottle of champagne- I get there step by step, there are many riders who make a fast lap in practice but I'm always thinking ahead to the race. From my position it may have seemed I was far back compared to Qatar but I actually had constant pace”.
The test, as ever, was the race.
“And it was a much better race than Losail, where I struggled more- he points out -Today I rode better and felt more physically in shape, I started well and was able to be fast right to the end”.
He makes it sound easy, but in reality a great deal of work went into this 2nd place finish.
“It's a question of set-up and riding- he continues - In the sense that I like to understand what I need for the race, find the right lines and perhaps it takes me a little longer than others. You shouldn't be fooled by practice, I was closer here and we focused on pace. In the warm up we carried out an important test."
And it shows.
“As happened in Qatar, we didn't do well here on Saturday but once we'd sorted the bike's balance, we took a big step in terms of braking- says Rossi - After practice I knew I'd have to fight with Crutchlow, but in following him I realised I had more. Maverick was quicker though, I don't think I could have caught him even if I'd passed Cal earlier”.
Third in Qatar, second in Argentina: you're working up an appetite….
“To know how far I am from the win, you need to ask Maverick - he jokes - He had a perfect winter and has been perfect in these first two races, he was clearly the fastest, but I'll try”.
it remains to be seen whether the improvement at Termas de Rio Hondo will also be a useful base at Austin.
“In reality, after Qatar I thought we'd start better here, I hoped to be immediately in the top 5 or 6, so out of superstition I'm not saying anything. But, if I have to choose a day on which to be fast, Sunday seems like the best day” he laughs.
Morale is high ahead of the next race.
“I had a disastrous winter, but over my long career I've learned never to give up - he states- In the end, I have more points than last year and have completed two better races. Austin has always been a tough one for me, but I like the track. Last year I had the pace to stick with Marquez but I crashed, this time I want to run a good race”.
