Austin: Rossi: Electronics, balance… 'The bike works better'
Valentino Rossi didn't take a single podium during the final nine rounds of last season, albeit sometimes falling while on course to d🏅o so, but has started this season with two rostrums in three races.
That has put the Monster Yamaha rider second in the world ch💦ampionship, just three points behind Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso.
After𒈔 enduring a record losing streak from Assen 2017 to Phillip Island 2018, the pressure has been on Yamaha to turn the M1 into a consistent frontrunner once again.
Valentino Rossi didn't take a single podium during the final nine rounds of last season, albeit sometimes falling while on course to do so, but has started this ꦡseason with two rostrums in three races.
That has put the Monster Yamaha rider secജond in the world championship, just three points behin♉d Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso.
After enduring a record losing streak from Assen 2017 to Phillip Island 2018, the pressure has been on Yamaha to turn the M1 into a consistent frontrun🦋ner once again.
Whওile Maverick Vinales was optimistic during testing, Rossi remained cautious, sayi🍸ng that the factory was now working in the right direction but would need time to catch-up to Ducati and Honda.
But 🐬his strong start has prompted new title leader Andrea Dovizioso to say that Rossi will "for sure" fight for the world championship: "Valentino is in a better situation compared to laꦅst year, I don’t think his bike is too bad."
On paper, progress is clear: Rossi was seꦦv🐠enth with 29 points at this time last season, compared with second and 51 points now. But where exactly has the M1 improved over last year?
"We tried to work on the electronics side to improve the acceleratio🌟n because we have always pro♒blems to exit from the corner. We find also better balance compared to last year. The bike works better," said Rossi, who lost out on victory to Alex Rins by less than half-a-second at COTA on Sunday.
"We tried to work on the engine brake, on the acceleration, on the smoothness of the engine. Looks like that we need time because we have some areas where we have to improve, but looks like we start in the good way, we follow the right way⛦.
"This is important. We have a good group in thဣe box. The challenge is difficult for sure𒅌, but we improve."
ꩲAn important gauge of Yamaha's progress could come 🃏next time at Jerez, a difficult event for the factory team over the past two seasons.
"In 2017 it was a disaster and in 2018 it was a bit better, but I suffer very much during all the practice, during all the weekend," Rossi confirmed. "I loveꦑ the track, but looks like that in the last years is not easy for us.
"It’s very important for understand if we can be strong also there. The new aspha🎶lt may also be better [for us]."
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years a🌜nd has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
