Donington Park MotoGP: Valentino Rossi struggles with Donington grip

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Valentino Rossi sounded less than impressed with the grip levels at Donington Park after the first day of practice for this season’s British GP.

The seven-time World Champion and current 2008 standings leader managed a best of 1.28.909 today enough to land him the third fastest time of the day, but as disappointed with the condition of tarmac at the British track.

He said: “The main problem here is the asphalt because it doesn’t have any grip anymore and riding on it is very difficult.

“Of course the temperature was quite low, which didn’t help, but in some parts of the track the asphalt is finished.

“It’s a pity because this track is great, one of my favourites!

“We have to hope the weather stays dry because if it’s wet it will be even worse.”

Rossi isn’t too worried just yet, saying he and the team have some new directions to o in tomorrow, certainly when it comes to a decision on tyres.

“We have a couple of ideas to try tomorrow; we will try some different tyres and also some other solutions for the setting, in order to be faster in the direction changes,” he added.

“We had a very long meeting after the session in order to try to understand the problem, it’s very strange because we used tyres which are usually very good for us, but here they don’t seem to work as they normally do.

“Third position is okay however, we’re not so far from the top and tomorrow we will try to make some more steps forward.”

Rob Hull

By Rob Hull