Valentino Rossi needs faster starts to strengthen podium bid

Valentino Rossi’s bid to end a frustrating succession of fourth place finishes in MotoGP will be boosted if he can match factory Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo’s electrifying early pace.

Lorenzo’s fast starting strategy has become a key tactic of the Spaniard’s quest to defeat Honda duo Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa in 2013.

The reigning world champion delivered an exhibition in aggressive riding on brand new tyres in Misano earlier this month when he opened up an advantage of over two seconds after just three laps.

After setting a stunning pace right from the off, Lorenzo’s fifth win of the campaign never looked in any doubt.

Rossi has finished fourth in the last four races and one area to help the nine-times world champion pose more of a threat to the Spanish’s trio monopoly of the podium will be aided by quicker starts.

That’s the view of his long-serving crew chief Jerry Burgess, who told MCN: “One thing we have to do is make a start like Jorge does. That is a whole new psyche to start like that. Drifting off around the track and then after the second lap getting into the race is not how it’s done anymore.

“This is a different generation and it is not as easy as saying this is what we have to do. When a rider can pull a 1.2s gap on the first lap and races are won by smaller margins than that, you have to be on record pace on the first lap.”

Burgess reckons the advantage Lorenzo currently has in the critical opening laps is his supreme confidence to push on brand new Bridgestone rubber.

He added: “It is the biggest string in his bow and more a rider thing to have this first lap confidence.

“We looked at Valentino’s first lap data (from Misano race) and from the exit of Turn 5 onto the back straight we matched Jorge for the rest of that lap but we had lost the advantage being behind (Aleix) Espargaro who jumped the start.”

One advantage that Lorenzo’s factory Yamaha YZR-M1 currently has over the Honda RC213V is on edge grip in the early laps.

Pedrosa said his main issue in recent races has been a lack of edge grip and Burgess said: “After what Dani said, Honda has to negate that advantage, which is both a psychological advantage and also an advantage on time in the race.

“Dani said that one of the things they have to do is use the edge of the tyre like Jorge does in the first couple of laps. We’ve seen this before from guys like Max (Biaggi) who came from 250s. They could lay it over and use that edge grip.

“Honda is not happy with the starts their bikes are making where the Yamaha is brilliant. Honda would be looking at how their clutch systems are working to get the bike off the line better. And the riders need to play their part and look for a set-up that gives them that maximum grip and lean angle on the first lap. It is a combination of all things.”