MotoGP: Rossi looking to find potential at Jerez

Valentino Rossi says that this weekend’s first European race of 2018 in Jerez will be an important one for him and teammate Maverick Viñales, as they get a chance to assess the changes to their bike since a disastrous race twelve months ago.

Unable to find grip in the high temperatures, Rossi is hoping that the combination of an improved bike and a new surface means that they’ll be closer to the front this time out.

“I’m happy to come back to Europe. The first races of the season didn‘t go very well but we tried something positive. Our M1 is improving and now we arrive at Jerez, a very important track to understand our potential. Last year we struggled a lot, but this year I think we can be better. Jerez is a circuit that I like very much, I have had some good races here and I would be happy to be back on the podium.

“Together, me and my team, we’ll work hard to find the best set-up and understand the behaviour of the bike with the new asphalt. On Monday, we will also have a very important test. We want to improve and fight for this championship.”

And with a strong result last time out for Viñales in Austin, the Spaniard agrees with his teammate that this round (and the subsequent Monday test) could be crucial for them.

“After the podium in Austin I can say that I‘m happy overall, our mind changed a lot during the last races. Now we are focused on the next race in Jerez, we are very motivated and positive, and this is good to recover again the feeling that we had last year at the beginning of the season. Last year Jerez was a difficult race for me. I suffered a lot because we had some issues with the front tyre, but now we have more information to be even stronger than in the last weeks, so we will work hard during this GP to be on the podium again.

“The new asphalt of the circuit has grip, so I‘m quite positive. I can‘t wait to be at the Circuito de Jerez; one of my home GPs in Spain, and a track that I really like – I enjoy riding there. We will go for the win and we‘ll push for it. The support of the fans will help me to do the rest.”