Breaking news
MotoGP Valencia GP
Rossi "very uncomfortable" in the dry in Valencia
Valentino Rossi says he was "very uncomfortable" riding the Yamaha MotoGP bike in the dry this weekend in Valencia, en route to 16th on the grid for Sunday's race.
David Gruz
Edited: Nov 17, 2018, 7:04 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Rossi missed out on an automatic Q2 spot after he only took 13th place in FP3 - in which he also had a highside crash.
He was then a lowly 22nd in FP4, the first dry practice of the weekend, and couldn't advance from a Q1 session which also included works teammate Maverick Vinales, Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Iannone.
Rossi admitted that he had some pain in his left shoulder due to his FP3 crash, but his qualifying struggles were ultimately down to not mastering the conditions.
"Was a very difficult day for me, very tough because after the practice of yesterday in the wet I was quite optimistic to be strong because I feel good but this morning in the FP3 that was important, I was not fast," Rossi explained.
"I try to push at the beginning but I crash. Apart from that, after, I take the other bike but I don't have the pace, enough feeling, for go in the top 10.
"We modify something for the afternoon but at the same time the conditions are different, coming dry, but in reality in FP4 and in the afternoon I never have a good feeling with the bike.
"I feel very uncomfortable, I can't push and I was quite slow. For tomorrow I have to start from very behind so will be hard.
"I have some pain sometimes on my left shoulder, [it] is not 100%.
"The hit was big because I crash from very high and I put the ice because I have some pain, I take some painkillers but for riding is not a problem."
Rossi said braking was the main issue with his Yamaha on Saturday.
"For me, a lot in trouble in braking I never stop, I have a front lock so I arrive always too fast in the corner but also in acceleration I don't have a lot of grip so very difficult to ride. I try but I was not fast enough."
He is only two points ahead of Vinales in the fight for third in the standings but, with his teammate starting from pole, Rossi is pessimistic about his chances.
"Unfortunately for me Maverick is on pole position, we have just two points, so [it] is difficult."
Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Marquez overcame crash pain to "save" his qualifying
Next article Vinales says "top seven" the target despite taking pole
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
David Gruz
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
World Superbike
World Superbike
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
World Superbike
World Superbike
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
MotoGP
MotoGP
Sepang February testing
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
More from
Valentino Rossi
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP
San Marino GP
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
Endurance
Endurance
NLS8
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
More from
Yamaha Factory Racing
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
Risky or good for the show? MotoGP riders divided on 2027 weekend format change
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
Risky or good for the show? MotoGP riders divided on 2027 weekend format change
Alex Rins jokes “I sh*t my pants” as Jack Miller gives him MotoGP taxi ride
MotoGP
MotoGP
Japanese GP
Alex Rins jokes “I sh*t my pants” as Jack Miller gives him MotoGP taxi ride
Latest news
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
27 min
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
29 min
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
WEC
WEC WEC 57 min
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
Jorge Martin the slowest Aprilia in Australia practice: “I'm used to riding with the Ducati here”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Jorge Martin the slowest Aprilia in Australia practice: “I'm used to riding with the Ducati here”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe