Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi says he only needed the rain to hold off for another 30 seconds in today’s Assen MotoGP qualifying session but luck was not with him and his tactics of dropping off the pack to get some clear track backfired.
The Doctor went out with a huge gaggle of riders as pitlane opened but as the rain started, he backed off a little but by the time he got around to turn ten on his fast lap, it was already too wet while the likes of poleman Aleix Espargaro had got there before the rain turned heavy.
“I was a bit unlucky in the qualifying. We were all together but there was a lot of confusion so I slow a little bit for have some metres and then push on the second and third lap. I was fast but when I arrive to the second part of the track it begin to rain quite heavy,” said Rossi, speaking at the track.
“I see some spots, so the idea was to make at least one lap with not dry but not wet. We are all together more or less so really, really a gamble. Under my point of view I need 30 seconds more. If the rain wait for 30 seconds I could make a good lap but when I come back from turn ten, there is already too much water.
“I have to start from the fourth row which is a big shame because I was fast from this morning. We modify already the bike, we improve the rear that yesterday move too much and I feel better.
“Especially this afternoon before the qualifying I was fast, we had a good pace but the rain arrived in the wrong moment. Is a shame as tomorrow it will be a lot more difficult. Is true that Jorge is just in front of me in the third row but the problem will be the two Hondas that are in the first row. Will be hard.
“It was bad condition, half and half, little bit wet, little bit dry. Important tomorrow for full dry or full wet, half and half bad for everybody.”
