'Jorge and I can make a great team' - Rossi
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17/08/2012
Valentino Rossi has spoken for the first time about his decision to quit the Ducati MotoGP team at the end of this season and head back to Yamaha for 2013 to once again partner old nemesis Jorge Lorenzo.
Valentino Rossi has spoken for the first time about his decision to quit the Ducati MotoGP team at the end of this season and head back to Yamaha for 2013 to once again partner old nemesis Jorge Lorenzo.
The Doctor says he made up his mind after the Laguna Seca round, where he crashed in a straight line at the top of the Corkscrew with only two laps left, because he needed to finish his career on a competitive bike - something that Ducati haven't given him for the last two years.
"After Laguna and the summer break, I have enough time for to think more deeply to my future. You know, this is a great pity for me and Ducati and for all of our fans, but especially for all the guys that work with me at this project because I want to try to be competitive," said Rossi, speaking at Indianapolis.
"Italian rider with Italian bike, but unfortunately, it doesn't happen. These two seasons are very difficult, and we struggling very much. Unfortunately, we were not able to improve our speed, our performance, and to fight for the good position, for the front position.
"So I decide for this that it is enough and my choice is because I try to understand which is the best bike, the more competitive bike for the next two years that maybe at the end of my career or, you know, but anyway, the last part, and this is the choice.
"It's a great pity. I'm very sad, also, because in Ducati find a lot of good people. We had great times together. We try the maximum, but unfortunately we were not able to achieve the result. So this is what makes the difference.
"Now the situation change a lot compared to the past, compared to 2008 when Jorge arrive to Yamaha. Now he's the No. 1 in the team, and our relationship are good. I have respect for him, and he have respect for me. So I think we can stay together. I am sure that together we can form a great team for Yamaha, for try to achieve good result in the next seasons."
Image by Ducati Corse
