MotoGP | Japanese GP Qualifying: Valentino Rossi, “I wasn't good enough in braking”

MotoGP GP Japan Motegi Yamaha MotoGP Qualifying – Valentino Rossi achieved the tenth time in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, the sixteenth round of the 2019 MotoGP, scheduled for tomorrow at 08:00 Italian time.

The “Doctor” has a gap from the top of 0.795s and is the last of the M1s on the track. Having discarded the new features such as the frame, swingarm and exhaust, Rossi is working on braking, moving from three-finger braking to two-finger braking.

Yesterday's race pace wasn't bad and so he's hoping for a good start and then taking his chances.

Statements Valentino Rossi Japanese GP Motegi Qualifying

“Unfortunately today there were difficult conditions, I was hoping to start later. A few tenths were missing because I wasn't good enough in braking, there were points where we could have gone better and therefore I will have to start tenth. However, it remains to be seen, it seems that tomorrow will be dry even if the temperature remains cool, so we'll see. Here the braking is very important but we're not there yet, I can't stop the bike well and so tomorrow we'll have to try something else.”

Valentino Rossi Statements Japanese GP Motegi Rhythm Race

“Yesterday my pace was quite good, but as always there are many who are going fast. Tomorrow we will need a good start and then we will see if we can keep up with the leaders."

Statements Valentino Rossi Japanese GP Motegi Franco Morbidelli performance

“Franco has had a great lap, he's been growing lately, today he was strong, because it was tough today to set that time. From a technical point of view it's nice to have other Yamahas that are going strong, you can understand more things, but it's a good internal challenge, especially after the performances of the rookie Quartararo."

Statements Valentino Rossi Japanese GP Motegi Yamaha needs improvement

“The engine certainly needs to be improved, we need more speed but with good power delivery. We are also working a lot on electronics with other Italian engineers.”

Statements Valentino Rossi Japanese GP Motegi more races and fewer tests

“I prefer to do races rather than tests. Of course, with 20/21 races there is more pressure, but I prefer these to the tests.”