Ex-MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi says Valentino Rossi is "a monster"

Rossi re-established a 12-point lead over Yamaha team-mate Lorenzo when he won the wet British Grand Prix last month, but afterwards Lorenzo suggested that he was still the faster rider in normal conditions.

Former works Ducati and Suzuki rider Capirossi agrees, but he thinks pure speed might not be enough given Rossi's strength in other areas.

"Lorenzo is quicker in ideal conditions, but is more fragile than Rossi," Capirossi told Italian magazine Motosprint.

"Psychologically Valentino is definitely more prepared, he is working so hard in order to win this world title, and every time he gets a chance he launches his attack.

"He is still a monster. Thirty-six years of age is a lot and he has won plenty.

"He doesn't have the hunger of an 18-year-old boy, yet he keeps looking for every little bit and puts it all together in order to keep on improving and be able to take the fight to two super strong and younger rivals."

Capirossi, a nine-time grand prix winner in his own MotoGP career, believes Rossi is in the best form of his life.

"On a single lap he doesn't have the strength he used to have 10 years ago, but with age that's inevitable," he said.

"If you know your limit perfectly, it's not easy to go beyond it.

"But as for everything else, he is the same and even better than the Rossi I knew on track."

MARQUEZ: ROSSI 'UNBELIEVABLE'

Reigning world champion Marc Marquez shares Capirossi's belief that Rossi will have answers to Lorenzo's raw pace advantage.

"On speed, it looks like Lorenzo is faster," Marquez said.

"But Valentino is experienced. He's unbelievable.

"He's so consistent and he's able to take profit from all situations.

"It will be really interesting to see. We will try to be there in the middle at every race."

Marquez declared his own title bid effectively over after a Silverstone crash left him 77 points behind Rossi with six races left.

Translation by Michele Lostia