A first front-row start since the third round of the campaign at Le Mans has left the reigning World Champion in a highly positive mood ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix of Japan.
Valentino Rossi’s strong weekend at Motegi continued on its upwards curve with the second fastest time in qualifying at Motegi on Saturday, which handed the Italian his first front-row start since the French GP back in May.
A best time of 1’47.055 on his 27th and final lap of the hour-long qualifying session placed Rossi within 0.054s of Andrea Dovizioso’s pole effort, and was the result of a weekend that had progressed in a very positive manner for the Fiat Yamaha rider.
"It is a good feeling to be back on the front row after so long, the last time was at Le Mans, before the Mugello crash!” said an extremely satisfied Rossi. “We have improved in every area here, firstly we have made a big step with our setting, then we have the new engine from Yamaha which is enabling us to push more and be faster on the straights, plus we also have slightly harder Bridgestone tyres here than in Aragón and they are working better for me.”
Rossi also continued to avoid experiencing excessive pain in his shoulder and was therefore able to produce his strong form.
“As I said yesterday I expected to suffer more with the shoulder but I am feeling quite good and when I brake in a straight line here I don't have too much pain. I am so happy about all of this,” he said.
“This front row is going to be very important for tomorrow, we really hope for good weather and let's see what we can do."
Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/
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