MotoGP | GP Mugello Day 1: Valentino Rossi, “Ranking more or less true”

MotoGP GP Italy Mugello Yamaha Petronas SRT 2021 – Valentino Rossi's Mugello weekend gets off to an uphill start.

The "Doctor" did not go beyond the 21st time in the combined classification on the first day of testing for the Italian Grand Prix and it will not be easy tomorrow morning in FP3 to try to get direct access to Q2.

The top (occupied by Francesco Bagnaia, his student at the VR46 Riders Academy) is more than a second and a half away, while the last place available for virtual access to Q2 is about a second away. Here's what the Pesaro native said.

Statements Valentino Rossi Italian GP Mugello Day 1

“I have always been strong on this track, but in 2019, the last time we raced at Mugello it was an uphill weekend and I struggled. I'm having a bit of trouble braking, especially at the San Donato (first corner after the main straight, ed.) but also in other parts and then I'm slow when changing direction, I'm not fast enough in that situation and we need to improve there. We're not good with the electronics either, so we have to work.”

Statements Valentino Rossi Italian GP Mugello Day 1 time classification

“During the session I was quite slow but I had the hard tyres, with which everyone struggled quite a bit, but with the soft at the end I made a mistake at San Donato on the second lap, I could have done a little better, but no more than much. The ranking is more or less true.”

Statements Valentino Rossi setup Italian GP Mugello Day 1

“In the Monday tests in Jerez things went better and in Le Mans we confirmed the feeling in the dry. I was closer to those in front, not only in terms of times but also in terms of position. Here the bike is the same, but obviously something different is needed, Mugello is always a particular track. We have to find the right balance.”