You are here

MotoGP, Rossi: “In Austria I'll be more competitive than in 2017"

The Doctor confident ahead of the Red Bull Ring, while Vinales returns to the track: “I'm physically fine, I have to be top three in every race”

MotoGP: Rossi: “In Austria I'll be more competitive than in 2017"

Share


Riders need to recharge their batteries right away, as its back to the track for them this weekend. MotoGP lands at the Red Bull Ring. A track that has never seen Valentino Rossi reach the podium.

So the Doctor is all set to put an end to this fast, despite the Brno test proving somewhat disappointing: “August is a very intense month. After the race and the test in Brno we will immediately get back on track in Austria. This will allow us to continue the work we are doing to improve the bike. The Austrian circuit has never been very positive or a favourite for us and last year we suffered. But this year's bike has improved and we will try to have a good weekend and fight for the podium. We will do our best."

The Italian has the right motivation. Meanwhile, on the other side of the garage, it will be interested to understand Maverick Vinales' level of fitness following last week's crash which also forced him to sit out Monday's test: “I'm fine after the crash in Brno. It was a weekend to forget, so I can’t wait to arrive in Austria. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible for me to test in Brno, because I was a little sore from the crash, and we decided I should rest in order to be 100% ready for the next round. I had planned to try some things in Brno on Monday, like working on the acceleration, that will be very important at the Red Bull Ring."

Despite the issues, Maverick is not throwing in the towel: “We know that we have to continue scoring points to be at least in the top-3 in the championship standings and to have the option to win this year's World Title. Last year in Austria the race was not good for us, we finished sixth and seventh, so I sincerely hope that this year we can bring home a better result and we will work hard for that.​​​​​​​"

Translated by Heather Watson
__

Related articles