Offseason testing – Rossi in the shadow of other Yamaha at Qatar tests –

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Rossi in the shadow of other Yamaha in Qatar tests

Offseason testing - Rossi in the shadow of other Yamaha at Qatar tests -

Valentino Rossi finished the last offseason tests in Qatar with a modest 12th place, while the other Yamaha riders monopolized the outposts. The Doctor is more concerned with his lack of consistency than his sheer speed… Explanations. 

Yamaha leaves optimistic since three of its riders are at the top of the combined standings with very small differences: Maverick Viñales, Franco Morbidelli (+0.033 sec) and Fabio Quartararo (+0.180 sec). For Valentino Rossi on the other hand, the results are less positive: the Italian finished 12th between the Ducati de Bagnaia and the Aprilia d’Espargaro….

  • Report of the 3rd day in Qatar:
  • MNC special file :

The nine-time world champion – never completely in the rhythm during these three days – gives 0.474 sec to his teammate but says that it would have been possible for him to reduce this gap without a crash with his last soft tire. More than pure speed, it is his inability to maintain a good pace in racing simulation that worries the Doctor..

"This Monday we were a little worried, not so much for the position because unfortunately I fell with the second tire and I think in this case that I could have improved," he said. "Actually, I’m more concerned with my pace: we tried to do long runs but we had issues with the tires similar to last year.".

"After a few laps I am systematically forced to slow down, which is not really good news", regrets the dean of the MotoGP field, who brings up the specter of the elusive grip problems that have spoiled the last seasons of the Yamaha clan.

The Doctor deadlocked ?   

Valentino Rossi is however the only one at this stage to suffer from these ailments, which is reassuring for Yamaha but worrying for the Italian: "the fact is that Maverick, Fabio and Franco have a similar rhythm to mine on a rolling lap but that ‘they then manage to be more constant, "he admits.

Offseason testing - Rossi in the shadow of other Yamaha at Qatar tests -

"I can attack the bike as much as I can when I want to," enthuses Maverick Viñales, who assures that he can be fast and consistent. "When I want to do a fast lap I can do it and it is also the case on a long run: it is very important because last year it was very difficult for me to increase my speed during a long run ". His ease can be seen in the photo above, where "Mack" greets the photographer with his left hand with his right elbow resting on the ground ! 

Same story positive for Fabio Quartararo, delighted with his ability to keep a good pace: "we did a race simulation, the pace was very good and we still have a little margin. I’m very happy because I have had a beat at 1’54 high for most of the simulation ".

Rossi must hurry to go fast !

Faced with all this positive feedback, Valentino Rossi found himself isolated at Yamaha with his worries of loss of grip after six to eight laps… Not sure that Iwata’s crest would be able to help him find a solution while the new motorcycle – which has improved in top speed – is suitable for other riders. The Italian wants to be reassuring in his ability to catch up.

Offseason testing - Rossi in the shadow of other Yamaha at Qatar tests -

"I’m comfortable with the bike and I’m pretty quick especially on the first five or six laps," he said. "It is not yet enough to fight for the victory because Álex (Rins, editor’s note), Maverick, Fabio, Franco and Marc are very fast. But we are not very far!"

The Genie des Alpages now has ten days to examine the data and try to correct the situation before the season opens on this same circuit at the Qatar GP on March 8. This deadline is all the more decisive as Rossi’s future will be decided at the end of the first races…. 

The n ° 46 is indeed starting his last campaign as an official Yamaha rider before handing over his handlebars to Fabio Quartararo, twenty years his junior. If he still feels competitive, Rossi may choose to bounce back in his place at Petronas SRT next year with a factory M1 supplied by Yamaha. 

"The race weekend is often different" 

Hence the importance for him to start the season well, which promises to be particularly hotly contested in view of the small gaps observed in Qatar as well as in Sepang previously. The first seven riders are held in three tenths of a second at Losail on four different motorcycles: Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati and Honda.

Offseason testing - Rossi in the shadow of other Yamaha at Qatar tests -

 "The tests are now over, we’ll see what it looks like on a real weekend because it’s often different!", Concludes Rossi who finds "incredible the balance that exists between many riders and many different motorcycles". 

"I’m 12th at 4 tenths (rather 5 tenths in reality, Editor’s note). It’s great for the championship and for those who watch the races because there are really a lot of very fast riders and motorcycles", s’ enthuses the Doctor. To be continued on MNC: stay connected !

Combined ranking of the three days of testing in Qatar

Offseason testing - Rossi in the shadow of other Yamaha at Qatar tests -

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