Monster Yamaha factory MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi was delighted to get on the podium for the first time since Germany 2018 after a second place finish in Argentina.
The Italian had good pace all weekend and after qualifying on the second row, Rossi found himself in a battle for second place with Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso. Rossi managed to squeeze past his compatriot on the last lap, securing a second place, behind runaway leader Marc Marquez.
Rossi was understandably delighted with the podium and his weekends work in general.
“I’m very happy because it’s been since Sachsenring last year, so a long, long time ago not being on the podium,” said the 40-year-old.
“Also because in the last two races of last year in Malaysia and Valencia I was strong and could’ve arrived on the podium, but I made two mistakes and the championship ended with a bad, bad taste in the mouth.
“For me it was a good weekend from Friday. We worked well on the setting on the bike, we worked well with the tyres and I arrived well from FP1, I was in a good shape.
“The race was good, I expected to be a bit faster, so I tried to overtake Dovi to try and go in front, but with more temperature I was in trouble and not very strong. So after Dovi stay in front for the majority of the race, but I was able to stay with him as there were parts where I feel very good with my bike.
“But I know to beat Andrea I have to be very precise, so I tried turn seven as I had good entry and I didn’t go wide, so I won the fight with Andrea on the last lap which is great. To win a fight on the last lap is general is very exciting.”
Rossi’s second row start showed a marked improvement in the YZR-M1 which saw four Yamaha’s qualify in the top eight. Rossi said that his second row start was pivotal to his strong race.
“It was crucial, the qualifying is always very difficult because everybody is able to squeeze the tyre and fight for 120% for one lap,” he said.
“If you do 110 per cent, you’re on the third row, so starting form the second row is a lot better. But also I arrived ready, because I had a good pace.”
This weekend marked the 23rd anniversary of Rossi’s debut in Grand Prix racing when a young Italian arrived in Malaysia. When asked about how he kept the fire burning inside of him, Rossi said: “This morning I see the images and it was quite funny, it’s like it’s from another era, it was in black and white on the television!
“For me, I quite like it. In the first part of my career I win a lot, a lot of races and a lot, a lot of championships and you arrive in one point where it’s more difficult because arrive younger and stronger opponents, so in that time you have to decide. Either stay at home and look at your trophies and be happy about it or continue to fight because you enjoy it. This is my case.”
