MotoGP Argentina: Bike swap cost victory shot - Rossi

Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi believes the mandatory bike swap during yesterday’s MotoGP round cost him the chance at victory as, unlike winner Marc Marquez, he doesn’t have the same feeling from the number two YZR-M1.

Rossi and Marquez were away with it after Jorge Lorenzo crashed out but when they pitted, Marquez got the drop and was able to lap more than a second faster - plus he also put Tito Rabat in between himself and The Doctor as they exited pitlane.

“In the end it was a shame because in the first part I was a lot more strong and lot more competitive, so I think I can do a very good fight for try to win. It’s also a shame because during the weekend we never had a problem with the tyres on the Yamaha and because of another bike, we need to change everything when we don’t suffer” said Rossi.

“At the end it was a very good result because with the rain the track changed the level of grip and in these conditions we struggled most. For some reason with the second bike and the second set of tyres I had a lot more problems to have the same pace.

“Also the conditions were very bad and I was never able to take the rhythm and at the end [Maverick] Vinales arrived and also the two Ducatis. Iannone overtook me at the end at turn five, but I braked very deep and we both went wide and Dovizioso overtook us.

“At that moment I thought the podium was over for me because I cannot do nothing so this 20 points are important for the championship and especially I am very happy for my team and for Yamaha.”