MotoGP: Rossi hoping to be fast in France

Valentino Rossi says that on paper he and his Movistar Yamaha team should be fast this weekend as they head to Le Mans for the French Grand Prix. The scene of teammate Maverick Viñales’ last win twelve months ago, with Rossi crashing out of the victory battle with him on the final lap, they’ll be looking to find that form again after a difficult year since.

And with previous pace at the French track well established, Rossi says that they simply have to find the pace they know they’ve had in the past.

“I’m happy we’re going to France next, because on paper we should be fast in Le Mans – usually the Yamaha works well there. I think that at the moment the situation is difficult to predict, because our rivals are strong, so we’ll see what our potential will be like. I expect to be a bit more competitive compared to the previous GP weekend, but I don’t know where we stand compared to the other bikes yet, so that will be interesting to find out. For sure my guys and I will do our best, as always, to make it a good race weekend.”

Teammate Viñales is also going into the weekend positive, believing that extensive testing in both Jerez and Mugello since the last race is bringing them closer than ever to finding a solution to their grip issues.

“The race in Jerez was very difficult for us again this year. Fortunately, the tests last week were good. We are very close to finding the perfect set-up for me, so I‘m heading to Le Mans with a positive mindset. I have really good memories from my victory on the Yamaha last year, so hopefully we’ll be able to repeat the success we had there. Le Mans is a good track for us, it suits my riding style, and I think we can do a really good job. We’ll do our best to be at the top of the classification.”