Valentino Rossi fears he will struggle in Barcelona MotoGP race
Valentino Rossi has admitted he is a "bit worried" he could be in for a repeat of his dismal Jerez MotoGP performance at the similarly low-grip Barcelona track this weekend
The upcoming Catalunya Grand Prix will mark a year since Rossi's last MotoGP win.
In 2016 the Yamaha rider won at both Jerez and Barcelona, but this season his Jerez result - 10th and 38 seconds behind winner Dani Pedrosa - was Rossi's worst in four seasons.
With the Barcelona track surface dating back to 2007, Rossi is worried he could struggle again as he did at Jerez.
"I am a bit worried, because the asphalt in Barcelona is very bad and the grip level is very low," he admitted.
"In Jerez with these conditions, we suffered with our bike.
"But it's very early to say."
Rossi finished fourth at Mugello last weekend having been involved in a motocross accident that left him with chest and abdominal pain the previous week, and said his "physical condition" stopped him from finishing on the podium.
The 38-year-old admitted the fact that Barcelona follows on so closely from his home race will make this weekend's event "hard".
"It's better if I have one extra week, but it's two in a row, it will be hard," Rossi said.
"But for sure if I continue to recover like this, another week is important."
Previous article
Andrea Iannone counting on new Suzuki MotoGP chassis
Next article
KTM to add third MotoGP bike for mid-season grands prix
Marc Marquez is back
MotoGP Starting Grid: Portugal Grand Prix
MotoGP Starting Grid: Doha Grand Prix
Marc Márquez's first ride after his injury
Marc Marquez continues his recovery
How Ducati has developed MotoGP's most versatile bike
His third place at Misano made Enea Bastianini the fifth different Ducati-mounted rider to score a podium in 2021. Amid a season that has seen one rider amass the bulk of Yamaha and Honda's success, the Ducati's versatility makes for a potent weapon, but the contribution of a former leading light shouldn't be forgotten
The next steps in the rebuilding of a stalled MotoGP career
Maverick Vinales’ early debut with Aprilia has been one of the most interesting plots of the recent MotoGP rounds. The results may not look standout on paper, but a closer inspection reveals just how much progress Vinales has truly made in understanding a bike that has taken him well out of his “comfort zone”
How ‘El Diablo’ and ‘the Beast’ starred in MotoGP’s Misano contest
On a day each of the podium trio could claim to be the star of the show, the San Marino Grand Prix will be remembered as a pivotal race in both MotoGP’s present and future. While Fabio Quartararo demonstrated his world title credentials just behind Francesco Bagnaia’s flawless victory charge, a new threat emerged from the shadows
How Ducati’s Aragon MotoGP win harks to its past and its future
Duelling against Marc Marquez at the Aragon Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia came out on top to secure a long overdue MotoGP victory. As Marquez likened Bagnaia to a Ducati title contender of old, it appears the Italian rider could finally start to fight for wins on a more regular basis
Why Dovizioso is more of a temporary fix than a Yamaha gamble
OPINION: The return of Andrea Dovizioso to the grid at Misano will be an interesting subplot to the remainder of the 2021 MotoGP season. But the circumstances that have led to the former Ducati rider ending his sabbatical point to his signing being one more of convenience than a long-term commitment
Why the British GP was a triumph for MotoGP
OPINION: The 2021 British Grand Prix was a historic day for MotoGP. At the centre of it was Aleix Espargaro on the Aprilia after securing its first podium in the modern MotoGP era. It was something of a full-circle moment that highlighted just how far MotoGP has come in the last decade
Why Silverstone should be regarded as MotoGP's rightful UK home
OPINION: Many of the UK’s MotoGP fans would prefer Donington Park to host the British GP beyond the expiry of Silverstone's current deal. But the circuit's fast, flowing circuit provides the best racing and should be regarded as its best bet for the foreseeable future
How MotoGP's record smasher is facing his toughest challenge
The 2020 MotoGP season was an utterly enthralling affair, but few would argue with you if thought it the world championship was a poorer place without its biggest star Marc Marquez. In an exclusive interview, he explains the challenges he's faced in his comeback from injury and what he makes of the current MotoGP landscape
