Estoril MotoGP: Valentino Rossi bounces back from big crash

Valentino Rossi bounced back from a spectacular high-side crash this morning to claim the second fastest time at the end of an eventful opening day in Estoril.

The 29-year-old, who is bidding to end his worst losing streak since his rookie campaign in 2000, lost the rear end of his factory Fiat Yamaha at the last corner in tricky conditions this morning.

Rossi walked away from the spill and clocked a lap of 1.38.547 in this afternoon’s dry session to finish just 0.040s behind Dani Pedrosa.

Explaining his tumble, the seven-times world champion said: “It was a big crash. I had a very good feeling with the Bridgestone rain tyres. I changed bikes and the setting was a bit different.

“I had constant throttle but too much lean angle. I made my corner speed a bit too fast and had to go more on the edge of the tyre and the rear had a slide. I have a bit of pain and some bruising.

“To ride the bike at 100 per cent will be no problem.”

Rossi said there was no way that Yamaha’s sophisticated traction control system could have prevented the crash when he added: “The traction control didn’t work because I didn’t slide because of acceleration. I slid more because of the lean angle so there was no way I could save it.”

Rossi though is confident he will be able to register another Estoril podium in Sunday’s 28-lap race after he alleyed fears that the Portugal track would be a bogey venue for Bridgestone.

“On the paper and from Bridgestone they were quite worried about this track. They say maybe it is the worst track for them. But I don’t agree and I think it is possible to make a good result also for Bridgestone.

“On the paper maybe it is more of a Michelin track because last year first and second was Michelin, but for me I think and I hope that the level is not so far between Bridgestone and Michelin.”