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Phillip Island is the right place for Valentino to forget about Motegi. A track that he likes, where he has won on many occasions and where, at least today, the sun is shining. Japan is far away, though memories haven't yet faded.
“I wasn't angry last Sunday, but sad to have missed out on the chance to complete a great race. I could have scored a good result, rather than nothing, after a weekend in which we had done a good job”, he recalls.
Have you worked out why you crashed?
“No, and I don't know if that's better or worse”.
In what way?
“Better because if I made an error I'd be even more upset. Worse because the data didn't tell us anything strange, perhaps I went into that turn a little wider. Anyway, I always believe that when a rider crashes it's because he's made a mistake”.
The Michelins have often proved critical at the front, how can this be solved?
“It's complicated because us riders have to push to achieve good results, we can't hold back. It's difficult for Michelin to improve in that regard, though we tested some tyres for next year at Brno and they seemed better to me”.
Did the crash leave any other after-effects?
“I found out I've broken the little finger on my left hand. It bothers me a bit but won't be a problem riding, I don't move it anyway. It just looks horrible (he laughs)”.
The title battle is over, have you spoken to Marquez?
“We haven't seen each other, but there'll be chance to congratulate him this weekend”.
Where does you get your motivation now?
“My greatest motivations is to score points and try to reach the podium at these last three tracks. They are all very different, also in terms of the weather and, with the exception of Valencia, I like them a lot”.
Three races and then you'll test the new M1…
"I only know they are working on the frame and engine, nothing more. It will be interesting for me to see if for the first time, we clearly need to take a new direction”.
What happened this year?
“We started out at a high level but the main factor is that we were not able to improve. In 2014 we did so, and again in 2015, with a new frame coming mid-season. This time we didn't do that, while Honda and Suzuki were able to improve”.
Did the engine failure at Mugello have a bearing?
“At the time it didn't seem like it, but yes, in the end it had a bearing”.
Have you lost horsepower in order to gain reliability?
“Let's say that the engine is always the same (he laughs)”.
Now we look ahead to Phillip Island…
“Coming here is always nice, if the sun sticks around it would be fantastic though unfortunately the forecast looks like it will get worse. The temperature makes the biggest difference, also because the tyres are subjected to too much stress on the left side and not enough on the right. When it's hot it's a lot easier, but it can be dangerous in the cold”.
What are your expectations?
“In winter testing I didn't do too badly and we have data with which to work. Last year I struggled in practice but was quick in the race. I want a good race to make up for Motegi”.
