Rossi on Triumph era of Moto2™ “a bit bigger, a bit faster”

Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha) has raced on many a two-wheeled machine, but the 9-time World Champion has never had the chance to race in Moto2™, with the Championship replacing the 250cc class in 2012.

‘The Doctor’ does, however, remember the controversial launch of the class, “Everybody was scared and angry because it’s a road bike, it’s not good for preparing to come to MotoGP.”

But Rossi, along with the many critics, have since been won over, especially with the introduction of the Triumph engines and Magneti Marelli electronics, at the start of this year.

“Over the years, I think everyone did a very good job.” Said the 9-time World Champion, “The races are always fun to watch and especially, with this last step; the Triumph engine and more electronics; it’s a very good bike to prepare to MotoGP because it’s heavy, because you can work on engine braking and everything and all the riders are happy because the engines have more torque, it’s a bit bigger, a bit faster.” Before adding, “For me, it’s a very good level”.

Indeed, the consensus is generally that this new era of Moto2™ allows the riders to better premier for the premier class machines. Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), who won the Moto2™ Title in 2012, said “I’ve spoken with my brother (Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and some Moto2 riders and they say it’s more like a racing engine, more for the race, whereas before it was more like a street engine on a race track.

“Now they can play a little bit with the electronics and it’s more powerful. We’ve seen they are around 300km/h at the end of the straights.” The Number 93 then added “I think it will be better because it’s close to a MotoGP bike.”

Pons Racing’s Lorenzo Baldassarri currently leads the Moto2™ World Championship, with 50 points after wins in both Qatar and Argentina, despite crashing out in America.