Although last weekend's Italian Grand Prix demanded considerable effort from the still recovering Valentino Rossi, who gave 100% to secure fourth place in front of his home crowd, the nine time world champion is ready to challenge for the podium this weekend in Montmeló.
The Doctor holds third place in the championship rankings, 30 points behind his teammate, and is eager to decrease the gap this weekend at one of his most successful circuits, where no one should bet against him.
Rossi holds an impressive 13-year podium streak, that lasted from 1997 to 2009 and was spread out over various classes (MotoGP, 500cc, 250cc and 125cc). Moreover, he previously recorded seven premier victories with wins in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2016 in Catalunya, and he only finished off the rostrum four times in 20 races (not including the race in 2010, when he didn't ride due to an injury).
“I would have liked to have had a one-week stop after the Mugello race to recover in the best way. 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,” he said. “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."
"On Monday we will also have a day of testing and we will use it to try some other solutions. This is another Grand Prix where there is a beautiful atmosphere, with so many enthusiastic fans. We are ready to do our best!”
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been a crowd favourite ever since it hosted its first MotoGP race in 1992. Its great reputation was further underlined when the venue won the IRTA 'Best Grand Prix' trophy in 2001. With an exciting 4.7km lay-out consisting of 13 corners (eight right, five left), the Catalan round is known as one of the most atmospheric and thrilling races on the calendar.
