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After a brief test day at Le Mans, it's now time for Valentino Rossi to turn his attention to Jerez. A track at which he has won 9 times (7 in the reigning class and once in 125 and 250), the latest win coming last season. A good place for him, not least because he arrives as championship leader.
An unexpected position in some ways, and one he must defend against Vinales and Marquez, 6 and 18 points behind respectively.
"I would never have expected to come to Jerez as championship leader. I‘m very happy because we managed to solve some of the problems we had encountered during the winter tests and we are doing really good races", comments the Doctor.
On the other hand, he knows it's not enough in a championship that is still in its early stages, and one with such dangerous rivals. For this reason, he needs to iron out some final details.
"We still have to improve the bike a lot, that's for sure. The weekend in Jerez will be very important. This is the first European race and it‘s a circuit I really enjoy. We have improved a lot in Austin since the first free practice and now it will be important to improve again in Jerez. We are understanding how to work with this bike and I‘m sure we will be able to find what we are looking for."
On the other side of the garage, Maverick Vinales wants to quickly make up for the crash at Texas that resulted in a zero. After two ins, the Spaniard suffered his first defeat.
“After the disappointing result in Austin I‘m happy that I didn‘t sustain any injuries - he points out - We also proved that we have the potential to fight for the victory at every race and this motivates me to arrive to Jerez even stronger than I was at the last GP. "
Racing on home turf may offer a small advantage.
"Jerez is a good track for Yamaha, they‘ve always been very fast there, so I know that I can be as strong and fast in Jerez as I was in Austin and as I have been at all the tracks during the start of this season - he confirms - We just should be focused, find a good set-up for the bike and push until the end of the race. I‘m extra motivated for the next round."
