MotoGP Assen - Too early to tell if new setup works - Rossi

MotoGP Assen - Too early to tell if new setup works - Rossi

Rollover to zoom

Click main image to enlarge

Factory Yamaha's Valentino Rossi has said it is too early to tell whether the new setup package he found at the recent Motorland Aragon test will work well at Assen's MotoGP round and he will find out during qualifying.

 

Factory Yamaha's Valentino Rossi has said it is too early to tell whether the new setup package he found at the recent Motorland Aragon test will work well at Assen's MotoGP round and he will find out during qualifying.

The nine-time world champion was fourth quickest in the dry and second quickest in the wet today but so far this season has been quick in the first practices, only to slip behind in vital final qualifying 15 minutes.

"This morning in the dry my speed was not so bad. At the end I finish in fourth position but everybody was very close except Lorenzo who this morning was very impressive and fast. We have a lot to work on the bike for improve the setting because this morning I still had some problem about the rear grip so we had important stuff to try this afternoon but it was wet," said Rossi, speaking at Assen.

"We try to see if the new setting work in the wet and I am very happy about this afternoon because at the beginning I had some problem but after we modify something in the balance of the bike. From that moment I was very fast and could do good laptimes and improve when I push.

"We have an extra pressure also as Jorge today had a big crash and have an injury, so I will be the only factory Yamaha on the grid, so I have to make a good result and finish in front of the Honda. 

"I still have the good feeling from Aragon but it is too early to say. The first impression is positive in both condition. In the dry I have the same feeling but I have some problem with spin because we have a different package on the bike so we have to understand the right balance.

"In the wet I am good on braking, I have the situation under control and I have a better line so is positive in both condition. But to see whether it is good enough to stay on top, we have to wait."

By David Miller

Image by Bonnie Lane