Valentino Rossi and his Movistar Yamaha crew managed to find another Sunday magic bullet to change the balance of his M1 enough to ensure podium pace.
Rossi was able to shadow team-mate Maverick Vinales through the pack and take advantage when Marc Marquez crashed out but The Doctor didn’t have enough to live with the youngster, so contented himself with a battle for second with Britain’s Cal Crutchlow.
“This weekend I was struggling in the braking but we improve the balance on Sunday and today in braking I was very strong, especially after the back straight. Also great work from Yamaha because it looks like this year our engine is more competitive and we suffer less in the straight. We have always good driveability but also good top speed,” said Rossi, speaking at the track.
“It was good because I had a good start, a good first lap, but especially because I can push to the end and I felt comfortable with the bike. I felt better with my physical condition because I worked very hard and in Qatar I arrived more tired, but here I can push.
“Also the fight with Cal was great because he was very fast. I know that I have to fight with him to arrive on the podium after the practice, but when I followed I saw that I had a bit more and it was an important second place – also for me and my team but for all the team because Yamaha has a one-two – and also for the points in the championship.”
