---
title: "Rossi would have preferred another week between races"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/06/07/rossi-preferred-another-week-races/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-06-07T11:58:02Z"
modified: "2017-06-07T11:58:52Z"
---

# Rossi would have preferred another week between races

With the Catalan Grand Prix already upon us, Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi says he would have liked an extra week’s rest following the Italian Grand Prix in order to allow his injuries from a motocross crash more time to heal.

The nine-times world champion Italian suffered abdominal and chest trauma when he fell from his motocross bike during a training session in Italy just over a week prior to the Italian Grand Prix.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/06/692281670.jpg)

Declared fit to ride, Rossi put in a valiant effort on his YZR-M1 to qualify second quickest and fight for the podium throughout most of the 23-lap race, before fatigue in the latter stages resigned him to fourth.

Though still in quite some discomfort heading to Barcelona, Rossi was pleased with his performance at Mugello and is keen to keep that momentum going this weekend.

“I would have liked to have had a one-week stop after the Mugello race to recover in the best way,” admitted the injured Italian.

“Anyway, I’m happy with the race I did, the bike rode well and in Barcelona I hope I can be better – I would like to go on the podium.”

Rossi has an impeccable record at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the Yamaha rider winning an extraordinary 10 times at the Spanish venue throughout his career, seven of those coming in the premier class including his first win at the circuit for seven years in 2016.

However, the low-grip nature of the Barcelona track, which has not had a resurfacing since 2007, has Rossi concerned grip issues similar to those which saw him finish 10th in Jerez will crop up again and hamper his weekend.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/06/692281656.jpg)

“I am a bit worried, because the asphalt in Barcelona is very bad and the grip level is very low,” [he told motorsport.com.](https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-fears-jerez-repeat-barcelona-motogp-914861/)

“In Jerez, with these conditions, we suffered with our bike. But it’s very early to say.

“Barcelona is a circuit that I really enjoy, even if it’s a track with less grip, and we will have to try to find a good set-up to make the tyres work best.”

Rossi comes into the Catalan race third in the standings and 30 points down on Yamaha team-mate Maverick Vinales, who extended his lead to 26 points ahead of his home race after a second place finish at Mugello.