MotoGP Assen - 'I wasn't sure if I would ever win again' - Rossi

Factory Yamaha's Valentino Rossi has hailed his comeback victory at Assen today as unbelievable but said that he didn't know if he would ever win another MotoGP race again.

Factory Yamaha's Valentino Rossi has hailed his comeback victory at Assen today as unbelievable but said that he didn't know if he would ever win another MotoGP race again.

At the start of the season, The Doctor made winning one race this year his target. Now he has done that, with an all-new setup, he has the confidence to push on into the rest of the season.

"Sincerely, I wasn't sure if this moment would ever come again. It is a long time since the last victory and I pass through two very difficult seasons which were frustrating with a lot of bad result. I started to be more positive when Yamaha give me another chance for ride the factory M1. I am happy but I still don't believe it. I will have to watch the race," said nine-time world champion, speaking at Assen.

"When I come back I was very happy about the bike, even though it was not 100 per cent. The first race was very good for me but after I struggling a lot - I cannot ride like I want, I cannot use my style, you know. 

"From the last week, the test in Aragon, we make a good step, I feel confident. We arrive here, I was very fast in all the practice, very close to the top and I feel good with the bike. We didn't change nothing from the warm-up to the race which hasn't happened since 2003.

"Before the race I think I have to try to win. I think is my day because I have the pace and also Jorge was not 100 per cent with his injury. For me the race was perfect, I did a great start, I was able to overtake and get with the Hondas. This is my target.

"Marc and Dani are the stronger in the pace but I was a bit faster, especially in two or three parts so I was able to pass Marc. With Dani it take a little more but when I arrive I was stronger than him so I try to stay in my rhythm.

"At one moment I saw Lorenzo very close and I say, if he arrive in front of me today also with a broken collarbone is a big problem so this also give me 0.3 every lap!.

"On my board when I saw Marc instead of Dani, I understand that I can win. I go to 1.1 and then 1.5 on the next lap. The bike was fantastic. I have to say thank you to Yamaha and all my team who never give up.  For me, this is one of the most special victories of my career. For sure it was more wanted than expected. I hope I can raise my speed and fight with these guys every weekend to make a good result from here to the end."

By David Miller

Image by Bonnie Lane