MotoGP points leader Valentino Rossi believes it was crucial to get a front-row start for tomorrow’s home race at Misano as he needs to get away with Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez in the opening laps and not watch them pull an immeditate gap which he may not be able to pull in at the end of the race.
Although Rossi is a master of tyre management, he says that if he can stay with his two main rivals as soon as the lights go out, it is easier to formulate a strategy as the laps count down and he can see where they are strong and weak.
Yes, as always it’s very important to start from the front row. Usually at the beginning of the race Jorge is alway very strong. More or less always but especially when I have this pace like in this weekend. So for sure he will start and he will push from the first corner very strong. Usually also Marc is able to stay with him. So it’s crucial try to stay with them in the first laps. And after you can see what’s happen, if you are close,” said Rossi, speaking at Misano.
“If you are already far it’s already finished. It’s good to be in the front row. It’s good to be in front of Dani because also Dani have a very good pace this weekend. It’s also very important what’s happen from now to tomorrow at 2:00. We have some other time to work a bit on the bike and try to improve. Today for me was a good day because we improved the setting, we improved the pace. I hope that we can do something better for tomorrow.
“The start is very important but it’s not enough. Already from the first corner, not from the first lap, Jorge, Marc are able to give the maximum. The race will be very long. The 28 laps are very long for the rider and for the bike, for the tyres. The first three or four laps will be very important for the result.”
