Rossi 'a couple of tenths' from the MotoGP podium

Ducati's Valentino Rossi reckons he needs to find just a couple of tenths per lap and he should be able to finish the year with podium spots, starting with this weekend's MotoGP encounter and Twin-Ring Motegi, although the returning Casey Stoner may sling a spanner in those particular works.

Ducati's Valentino Rossi reckons he needs to find just a couple of tenths per lap and he should be able to finish the year with podium spots, starting with this weekend's MotoGP encounter and Twin-Ring Motegi, although the returning Casey Stoner may sling a spanner in those particular works.

The Doctor came from dead last to eighth at Motorland Aragon after running into the side of Jonathan Rea on lap one but had the pace coming back through which would have challenged for a spot much further up the field.

“I like Motegi a lot. It’s a nice track with good grip, and I have a positive memory of last year. We steadily improved the bike’s setup over the course of the weekend, and I think I could have had a good race if I hadn’t crashed on the first lap," said Rossi.

"At the moment, we’re still missing a couple of tenths with our pace to think of the podium, but at the last two races, we were still able to ride at a good, constant rhythm until the end, which is positive. At Motegi we’ll try to continue working in this direction and to take advantage of the Ducati’s potential, which is usually very high at this track.”

By MotoGP desk

Image by Ducati Corse