MotoGP | GP Austin Qualifying: Rossi, “Slow bike, we went out of Yamaha's plans”

MotoGP GP Austin GP Americas Yamaha Petronas SRT 2021 – Valentino Rossi qualified with the twentieth fastest time, seventh row, in the Grand Prix of the Americas, 15th stage of the 2021 MotoGP, scheduled for tomorrow in Austin.

The "Doctor" crashed without consequences in the decisive phase of Q1 and the difference in speed with the other bikes and especially with the Ducatis was also evident on TV when Jack Miller literally "stripped" him on the straight.

Here's what the Pesaro native said, who also spoke about Bagnaia's pole and Toprak (Razgatlioglu), winner today in Portimao and who "replicated" the nine-time world champion's Malaysia 2004 skit.

Statements Valentino Rossi GP Austin Qualifying

“There are two factors, the difference in acceleration with everyone, but especially with the official Ducati, which is very large, they seem like bikes from a different category. This is the first year for me as a "private" and I was also unlucky, Team Petronas is not in the best year. The bike on paper is Factory, but the official bikes are faster. Looking at the data from Misano, they made a good step, while we had nothing to prove, we went out of plan. Maximum speed matters a lot, in Team Petronas we are constantly among the last. It's not an easy moment for the Team from a technical point of view.”

Statements Valentino Rossi on Pecco Bagnaia Pole-man GP Austin Qualifying

“It's a great shame, it makes me enjoy seeing him ride, it's been a long time since I've seen a Ducati ride like that, it's scary, it has a devastating fast lap. The Ducati is a tough bike, but he rides it great. He seemed to be in trouble but he drives it very well."

Valentino Rossi's statements on the Toprak (Razgatlioglu) skit in Portimao – GP Austin Qualifying

“Toprak (Razgatlioglu) made a 'quote', a 'parody' of my skit from Malaysia 2004 (when he crossed the finish line, Valentino had picked up a brush with which he had 'cleaned' the track, to make fun of the penalty he received in Qatar the week before. A Yamaha mechanic had been caught by his rivals cleaning and rubbering Rossi's grid spot. Toprak (who today in Portimao after winning took the brush to make fun of the penalty received for having pinched the green at Magny-Cours ) is a rider who could be strong in MotoGP because he has a very modern riding style, he has great control of the bike. Both he and Rea could be competitive in MotoGP. I hope for them that they have the chance to do so, because Toprak is also very young.”