---
title: "Rossi expecting ‘very hard fight’ on race day in Jerez"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/04/23/rossi-expecting-hard-fight-race-day-jerez/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Connor McDonagh"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2016-04-23T15:41:57Z"
modified: "2016-04-23T15:41:57Z"
---

# Rossi expecting ‘very hard fight’ on race day in Jerez

After claiming his first pole position of the season in Jerez, Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi is expecting a close fight with teammate Jorge Lorenzo and Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez for the race win.

Rossi has looked strong all weekend and a late lap saw him clinch pole position ahead of local heroes Lorenzo and Marquez.

The Italian believes the new Michelin tyres has allowed him to improve his qualifying performance after struggling in 2015.

“We work a lot because last year we struggled too much during qualifying,” said Rossi. “This year with the Michelins I feel better and we started twice on the front row already, but pole position is different – especially here in Jerez.

“I know that I can be competitive but in these past races, we had some problems, I did the mistake in Austin, so we didn’t take what we expect. So we have to go to start now.

“For sure tomorrow will be very very hard with Lorenzo and Marquez, but we are there. We can fight.”

![Image: Yamaha](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/04/MYM_230416__G022067-1024x683.jpg)

Despite taking his first pole position since Assen last year, Rossi has played down the achievement saying it means ‘nothing.

“At the end, starting from pole position is important – but it’s nothing,” he added. “The race will be tomorrow and it will be very difficult.

“I think Marquez and Lorenzo will have great pace. But we work very well from yesterday morning, I feel good with the bike, and I think we can fight.”