MotoGP

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Missed opportunities for Rossi after “a very different crash”

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Published on September 27, 2020
By Short Shift News

Valentino Rossi faced his second non-finish in a row at this weekends Catalan Grand Prix, crashing out of second position with nine laps to go.

The Doctor had a bright start to his race, making use to his third place grid spot to jump into second place by the end of the first few laps. Rossi was latching onto the back of his compatriot, Franco Morbidelli, who looked comfortable at the front.

Rossi slipped to third after Fabio Quartararo made the pass into turn one and began to chase after his team-mate. Rossi looked happy to sit in third, saving the soft tyres under his YZR-M1 but found himself promoted to second following a mistake from Morbidelli.

Rossi admitted he was pushing in order to stay with Quartararo, who ran out of rear tyre at the end of the Grand Prix. With Rossi smelling a race win, The Doctor made a costly mistake at turn two, crashing out of the race, crushing the hopes of fans around the world, as Rossi’s 200th premier class podium loomed.

Credit: Yamaha-Racing

Speaking after the race, The Doctor said:

Valentino Rossi: Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – DNF

It‘s a great shame, two mistakes in a row. This was a very different crash from last week‘s. In Misano we did something different on the bike, and technically I was not very strong. I didn‘t feel very good, and also on Saturday and Sunday I was not 100% me. I didn‘t feel very well. This weekend was very different, because I was always competitive. I was good on the bike, I rode well, and I also improved practice by practice. This is very good. Today I was at the limit, because I was behind Fabio and I didn‘t want to lose a lot, I wanted to stay with him. On the left is always dangerous, especially with a low temperature, and I lost the front. It‘s a great shame because I think I could have fought for the victory and for sure for the podium, that was our target. This year my speed is not too bad, but as for the results I have to do better. We still have a lot of races until the end of the season, so our target is to be competitive again starting from Le Mans, work well in the garage with the team, and try to stay at the top.

Rossi now slips to 11th in the standings, sat on 58 points, joint with South African, Brad Binder.

The 41-year-old will have two weeks to regroup following his double DNF, with MotoGP returning in Le Mans on October 9th-11th.

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