Valentino Rossi had a rollercoaster of a race at the Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina this weekend as what looked like was to be a bad result ended in a triumphant podium place.
Rossi appeared to be struggling as he plodded on through the Free Practice Sessions on Friday and Saturday. However by FP4, he was comfortable with his M1 and managed to qualify to start from second on the grid.
The race got underway and the Italian got a great start and he and Repsol Honda rival Marc Marquez managed to break away and commence in a tight battle on the track. However, due to safety concerns over the medium and rear compound Michelin tyres, the race was effectively split into two parts.
The now 20 lap race had a compulsory pit stop for riders who had to swap to their spare bikes with fresh tyres on. This is when it all changed for Rossi, Marquez made a more efficient pit stop and gained bike lengths on Rossi who looked nowhere near as comfortable on the second bike.
“I was very happy to do the second part of the race because I was able to have a good battle with Marquez during the first part when I was strong and we started to overtake, but with the second bike I had big problems with the rear tyre; I didn’t have any feeling and couldn’t stop under braking. The conditions were very difficult after the rain last night and we were back where we were on Friday when we were struggling quite a lot with our bike.”
Rossi then became the target for Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Maverick Vinales who was flying, and the two Ducatis ridden by Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone. Vinales overtook and Rossi battled with the two Ducatis; however it was intense and Rossi seemed to back off. Vinales crashed first, followed by the two Ducati riders as Iannone brought off his teammate Dovizioso; all Rossi had to do now was finish.
“I was pushing and very close to the limit. Iannone overtook me a bit too aggressively and in that braking point his action was too strong and it was impossible to overtake so I went wide and he passed me. I said to myself, “Now what happens?” I tried to counterattack, but I didn’t have enough grip or speed to make, so I stayed behind him and when I saw that Iannone tried to improve his position and go under Dovizioso he unfortunately couldn’t stop and took out also Dovi, so I was very lucky to arrive in second place.”
