One thing that will be missing Valentino Rossi his promptness of spirit is certain. The San Marino GP certainly did not go as hoped for the “Doctor” who, after elbowing at the back of the group for 27 laps, was unable to take home even a point, closing the race in 17th position. A disappointing result that, however, did not take away the enthusiasm of the rider from Tavullia, who at the end of the race found a way to joke a little about it.
“I started next to last on the grid, because yesterday I crashed twice. I managed to gain some positions in the first corners but, unfortunately, at 4 there were some contacts and confusion and I I was the outermost one and, in the end, the one who lost the most and I was last, just. But then my pace was decent. It was what we expected, here “, Valentino told Sky Sport MotoGP.
“I did some overtaking, I managed to recover some positions and I passed Dovi, then Oliveira, then I passed Morbidelli and I was with Petrucci. So, I expected to see on the P3 chart when I passed the straight (guide ed.). There were all the tops, I said ‘I’m in front’, instead it was P19, like. When you do races like these, you struggle like, and even harder, a race in which you could win. But you are 17th. It takes a great passion, that’s it. It’s a pity that it wasn’t enough for the points, because it could have been important, let’s say ” added Rossi, whose race was certainly conditioned by Saturday’s qualifying. “I started on the soft and in the end I was in a bit of trouble. During the race, however, I did quite well. Unfortunately, the starting position made me lose a lot of seconds at the beginning. If not, you can fight for something. better “.
MotoGP San Marino, Morbidelli: “I thought I wouldn’t finish the race”
Rossi: “Running in front of people gives meaning to everything”
Despite the result, in this first race on the Misano Rossi circuit he was able to fully enjoy the affection of his fans, who flocked to the circuit to support him before retiring.
“It was great because there were 60,000 people on the weekend and there were 60,000 seats. It was full and there was a good atmosphere. – said Vale -. I really did my best. Also yesterday I lay down twice, to try to do well. Today above all it was beautiful. For us pilots, above all, life changes in front of people, because it gives meaning to everything. When we had to race with empty circuits, like last year, you often wondered ‘why?’, ‘What are we doing here?‘. Instead, today it was nice “.
Ode to Bagnaia: “He had two perfect weekends”
If at Aragon he had managed to keep an eye on the Pecco race, at Misano the “Doctor” could not do the same. But this is not enough to prevent him from congratulating Bagnaia, for the victory and for the beautiful season of which he is the protagonist.
“Unfortunately today I did not see anything of Pecco, because there was no giant screen in favor of the driver during the race. But I saw him at the end exulting, so I imagined that he had won. – explained Rossi -. I am very happy for him, because he has always been strong this year. But it seems to me that last week’s victory in Aragon unlocked him, even mentally. He had two perfect weekends. Pole position, track record and victory, always staying in front. It’s nice. Too bad he lost a lot of points at the beginning, otherwise it would have been a really good challenge with Quartararo, until the end, because they are the ones who go faster and it’s nice to see them fight. We at the Academy are very happy and very proud, but we do not feel this victory is ours. The victory belongs entirely to Pecco. He deserves it all. “
GP San Marino, Bagnaia celebrates the victory: “We are working like God”