New BMW M is a positive for fourth fastest Rossi

rossi won the BMW Best Qualifier Award 2009

Saturday, 7 November 2009

Valentino Rossi was fourth in qualifying at Valencia but still picked up the BMW M Award for best qualifier in 2009, whilst his Yamaha colleague Jorge Lorenzo is on the front row for the 16th time this year.

At a racetrack which Valentino Rossi admits is not the happiest of hunting grounds for Yamaha, the Italian struggled to get on the pace on Saturday at the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana, but still did enough to win the BMW M Award for best qualifier this season.

The recently re-crowned MotoGP World Champion added a brand new BMW M3 Sedan to his growing collection with his fourth place QP result, a suitable reward for his endeavours throughout the season, but he was critical of his own performance thus far this weekend having been fourth in every session.

“We haven't found the right setting for the bike yet, we've tried hard but we don't have enough grip yet to allow us to go fast,” said the Italian. “I have to start on the second row and we have quite a big question mark for tomorrow's race. At the end of the session I was able to do some better laps with the softer tyre but unfortunately with these conditions we will have to use the harder tyre tomorrow. We will work tonight and again in the morning warm-up and hopefully we can find a way to improve so that we can race as we would like to.”

On a more positive note he added, “I like BMWs a lot because they are good fun to drive, so that’s one good thing from today and I'm happy about the qualifying award.”

Starting in front of his Fiat Yamaha colleague Rossi on the grid, meanwhile, is Jorge Lorenzo, who finished third in the session and on the front row for the 16th time this season. The Spaniard has been the second best qualifier this year behind his illustrious team-mate.

“I’m happy to have ended the season on the front row, where I have been for all but one race!” stated Lorenzo. “I am feeling very confident about a good race tomorrow because my bike feels good and I am riding well here.”

“My number one aim tomorrow is to make sure I finish the championship in second and I only need one point to do this, but of course I would also like to finish the season with a good race so I will try to challenge at the front as well. I'm looking forward to riding in front of all the Spanish fans, it's always an amazing atmosphere here for the last race!”