English
Italiano
Yesterday he was lost between doubts and insecurities. Today he is smiling on the front row. This is Valentino Rossi’s – rising – trend on the Sachsenring. “Yesterday was one of those days where, in the evening, you ask yourself if you still know how to ride a bike. It was too bad to be true”, he remembers with irony.
Today, on the other hand, aided by the sun, his M1 and the Michelin tyres served him well and he finished with the 3rd best time in qualifying.
“As I said, yesterday riding was dangerous and frustrating, but this morning the summer arrived – he continues – In any case, beyond the results, those sessions were useful for figuring out which direction to go, where to improve the bike.”
Are you satisfied with the front row?
“I was lucky, because the second time out I ran into traffic and was unable to improve on my time. Without that problem, 2nd place was well within reach for me.”
That’s the flying lap. And your pace?
“In conditions like the ones today I can ride a good race. If the weather gets very cold I’ll be in trouble. Riding in the wet, on the other hand, would mean starting over from zero.”
The Yamahas do not shine here …
“It is not the best track for the M1, but the problem is that, with the cold, the tyres are too hard for us and we are not able to get them to work. Pol Espargarò did not do badly and I think Lorenzo was influenced by the crash on turn 11 yesterday. It isn’t good for anybody to go down there.”
Is Jorge out of the running?
“In Q1, before falling, he was very fast. After the crash he lost his concentration and that is why he is starting from behind. I am sure that he has had a difficult weekend up to now, but Lorenzo has the potential to ride a good race.”
Who are the rivals?
“On pace, judging by what I saw today, Marquez has the most. Then there is me, Iannone and Viñales, but Pol and Pedrosa are also doing well.”
Tomorrow morning you wake up: what is the worst situation?
“The cold. In that case, we would really be in trouble and I don’t know how much the changes we have made could help us in those conditions. We would need to say a prayer every time we approach turn 11.”
And if it rains?
“Thinking of the worst, having a dry warm-up and a wet race. Michelin has brought some evolutions to the rain tyres, but we would be starting in the dark.”
