MotoGP: Austria ‘not very favourable’ to Rossi and Yamaha

Valentino Rossi has admitted that despite a strong showing last weekend at Brno and a successful test that he topped the day after the Czech Grand Prix, he’s not confident of being too strong on the Movistar Yamaha as the 2017 MotoGP season heads directly to Austria and the Red Bull Ring.

Dominated last year by Ducati and with satellite rider Danilo Petrucci on a hot streak as well as the factory duo of Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, Rossi admitted ahead of the race that it might be a big ask to be as competitive as he felt he was last time out.

“Going back to the track immediately is very important to us, especially after a test like Monday’s in Brno, where we tried so many things. During the weekend in the Czech Republic we were fast in every condition and the test helped us to understand a bit more.

“Now we go to the circuit of Austria, that’s not very favourable to us, but I hope we can fight for a good result. I’m fine with the YZR-M1 now, I can ride the bike better, I‘m happy and I hope I can fight for the podium at every race. The championship is still open and it will be important to take as many points as possible.”

However, teammate Maverick Viñales goes into the weekend more favourable about his chances, confident that a similarly successful test for him means that he can be in with a shout of repeating last weekend’s podium.

“After being back on the podium again last weekend, we are more confident and I feel strong going in to the next Grand Prix. On Monday in Brno we also tried many things, like working on the acceleration, that will be very important for the race in Austria. We improved many items during the test and I feel happy and ready for this round. We know that we have to be on the podium at the next races if we want to win this championship, and for that we have to continue this good feeling and go for the victory.”