Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi took a big gamble with setup after morning warm-up at the Le Mans MotoGP round but it paid off as he was able to bag second place behind team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Rossi is well known for pulling a setup magic bullet out of the bag after having difficulty in practice and qualifying, but The Doctor said this gamble was a big risk. He said it was to do with the rear suspension to get more traction under acceleration but wouldn’t be drawn any further.

“We are struggling too much during the practices. This morning, we had some modify on the bike and I expect that give me a better pace but in the warm-up, I wasn’t fast enough, I have half a second to Marc and Jorge and I start to be very worried,” said Rossi, speaking at the track.

“I have a great team and this time we try a risk with some small modify. We know that it is not enough to try and stay with Marc and Jorge. We decide to gamble and it was the right move because my bike in the race was fantastic. I did a good start but from the third row, I had a small gap and around half race I arrive in second.

“I wasn’t so far, around two seconds and I see him. I try the maximum but he was in hammer time and when he is like this it is difficult to go with him. I am happy because 20 points is good for the championship.

“To arrive at Mugello in this state makes me very happy, the only problem is it is his favourite track also. Good day for Yamaha, a one-two but we hope in Mugello to make it the other order.

“We modify a little bit the balance of the bike with a different setting for acceleration and the rear tyre that work, and also in braking.”