The German GP is all about getting points back for Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) after an uncharacteristic mistake in Assen. He’s had three DNFs in 2016 already, there’s no more room for mistakes and he has to attack at every opportunity he can get. There’s no doubt Rossi has had the pace to win, but luck just hasn’t been on his side in Assen or Mugello. Closing down the significant 42-point gap to Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) is going to be tough, the Spaniard unbeaten at the Sachsenring in MotoGP™.
Rossi was the last non-Honda rider to win at the Sachsenring back in 2009, since then it has been a distinctly Honda circuit. Before 2009 Rossi had won in 2006, 2005 and 2002. Germany marks the half way point of the season, will this be the start of a yellow part of the year?
Valentino Rossi: “I really want to get back on track. Over these last few days I‘ve rested at home, but now I want to leave for the race at Sachsenring. In Assen we worked well throughout the weekend and we were really fast, both in wet and dry conditions, but the race was not very lucky for us. At the Sachsenring circuit we will have to work well as we have been doing during all weekends this season. We are fast and I‘m comfortable with the YZR-M1 and with the Michelin tyres. I like this track and Sunday I will do my best to make it a good race.”