MotoGP | Gp Jerez Qualifying: Valentino Rossi, “I don't agree with Michelin's Taramasso” [VIDEO]

MotoGP GP Spain 2020 Monster Yamaha – Valentino Rossi closed the first qualifying of the year in the MotoGP class in Jerez with the eleventh time.

After having regained direct access to Q2 in the morning, he was unable to repeat himself in the afternoon and will therefore be forced to start from the fourth row.

A comeback race awaits him, even if the pace of the top three, Quartararo, Vinales and Marquez seems unsustainable.

Here's what Yamaha's #46 had to say at the end of the tests, responding although not directly to Michelin Motorsport's two-wheel manager Piero Taramasso, who had given his own explanation as to why Rossi is unable to make the most of the new rear tyre.

Valentino Rossi Statements Jerez GP Qualifying MotoGP 2020 Michelin

“I don't agree with what Taramasso said, he says that I wear more rubber because I lean out of the bike a little, but if you look at the images it's not true. I worked a lot on this thing and for example when we raced with the Bridgestones we were even further out. There are other riders, such as Dovizioso for example, who have a much more composed style on the bike but who don't wear out the tyres. More than anything I must say that in my career I have always preferred hard tires both in terms of casing and compound while now the Michelins are very soft. On the other hand, as Taramasso said, the other riders have adapted to this new tire and so now it's our turn to work. Compared to yesterday we have improved a lot, we are starting to work well with David (Munoz, his technical chief, ed.). It's still not enough but we are working to be more competitive."

Valentino Rossi Statements Jerez MotoGP Qualifying 2020

“Both in Malaysia and Qatar we were strong, but I knew that here in Jerez we would struggle, we haven't been good since 2017. The first three riders have another pace, but then from the fourth we're all there. It will be a long race, I expect a good mix group after the first three.”