Rossi: “The feeling is quite good”

Nine-time World Champion feels there’s more to come at the Czech GP after taking P14 on Day 1

It was a challenging day on the timesheets for Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, but the veteran Italian says the feeling isn’t bad despite the position and he didn’t use the soft rear tyre to push for a laptime.

After a wet FP1 in which the ‘Doctor’ finished fifth, the drier afternoon session saw the pace get quicker – leaving him in P14, but with good feelings ahead of qualifying on Saturday.

Valentino Rossi, P14: “It was a difficult day, but I had some good feelings. I‘m happy about FP1 in the wet, because this year we always suffered, but this morning I was strong and not so bad considering the pace. I was able to ride the bike quite well, so I had a good feeling and finished in fifth position, inside the Top-5 isn‘t so bad. The afternoon was a bit more difficult, because there were mixed conditions. I think it wasn‘t so bad, in the sense that I‘m behind, but I didn‘t put in the soft rear tyre at the end. I had a problem with one bike, so I had to stop and when I restarted with the other one I preferred to continue with the medium tyre. At the end my position is bad, but if I put in the soft tyre I think I can be more in front. It‘s just the first day. We have to work, especially the balance of the bike is not OK, but the feeling is quite good.”