Ducati's Valentino Rossi slumped to a disapponting tenth in MotoGP qualifying at Laguna Seca because he is unable to generate enough grip with the soft rear Bridgestone without destabilising the front of the GP12.
As the pack got down to meaningful laptimes and Jorge Lorenzo blitzed the circuit record, Rossi was left juggling front and rear traction but says he has the race pace to stay with those on the second row, including Britain's Cal Crutchlow.
“As long as we ride at our race pace, we’re close to the two or three other riders in the second group. Unfortunately though, just like at the last race, when we try to do a fast time, we’re not able to improve enough," said The Doctor.
"When I put on the soft tyre, it creates more problems, which are always the same, really: to avoid having the tyres start sliding too much after a few laps, we must load the rear a lot, and that causes us to lose feeling with the front.
"As long as I ride at a 1:22 pace, I’m able to be pretty consistent, but when I have to push harder, the front starts to close. The bike moves a lot and I go wide. Anyway, we’ll see. I’m tenth, but my rhythm is a bit better. Obviously, I’m expecting a difficult race."
