Valentino Rossi blitzed MotoGP qualifying at Assen today and starts tomorrow’s race from pole. His rivals will be delighted to find out the new chassis his Movistar YZR0M1 is now equipped with is better at finding grip on worn tyres than previously.

Already this season, Rossi has shown devastating pace at the end of races when all about him are spinning and sliding but he says the new chassis, with some balance and setup work, will mean he be even quicker as the chequered flag approaches.

“Yamaha try to improve the feeling with the bike, to make it easier and create more grip on the tyre when it have a lot of lap. I had some question marks because already this year our bike work very well but when I try I feel good. In general, it is more easy. With these tyres it is better to have a bike that is easier to ride on old tyres,” said Rossi, speaking at Assen.

Today was Rossi’s first pole position for 18 months and The Doctor hopes his new-found one-lap pace, plus his speed over race distance, will mean a serious title challenge can be mounted from this weekend.

“I hope it will. Already in Barcelona from the Saturday we decide to modify quite a lot the balance of the bike, the setting, and I feel straightaway a lot better and have better pace. Unfortunately, there I start from the third row but I know I am competitive for the race with a better pace,” he said.

“Sincerely from Barcelona to here we don’t change a lot so it means that is already two track with the bike quite similar and this is important. But we need to wait for the other races to se if it can help.

“It will be hard as the other guys are very strong, especially Jorge is fast. It looks like we are very competitive, we have a good bike but also my experience can help for the next races.”