Numbers: Rossi's first Ducati season

A lot has been written about Valentino Rossi's disappointing first season with Ducati in MotoGP this year, but it all boils down to the following stats...
Rossi, Aragon MotoGP 2011
Rossi, Aragon MotoGP 2011
© Gold and Goose

Valentino Rossi and Ducati: 2011 MotoGP seasonNo. Grand Prix: Gap to pole, Gap to victory

1.Qatar: 1.500s (9th), 16.431s (7th)
2.Spain: 1.428s (12th), 62.227 (5th)*
3.Portugal: 1.110s (9th), 16.555s (5th)
4.France: 1.053s (9th), 14.564s (3rd)
5.Catalunya: 0.810s (7th), 7.371s (5th)
6.Great Britain: 3.761s (13th), 64.526s (6th)

Rossi switches to the modified Desmosedici GP11.1
7.Netherlands: 1.846s (11th), 30.684s (4th)
8.Italy: 1.868s (12th), 26.450s (6th)
9.Germany: 1.639s (16th), 27.576s (9th)
10.United States: 1.033s (7th), 30.351s (6th)
11.Czech Republic: 0.776s (6th), 12.632 (6th)
12.Indianapolis: 2.125s (14th), 55.345s (10th)
13.San Marino: 1.538s (11th), 23.703s (7th)

Aluminium front-section replaces carbon fibre on Rossi's bike
14.Aragon: 1.509s (13th**), 39.832s (10th)
15.Japan: 1.200s (7th), DNF
16.Australia: 2.005s (13th), DNF
17.Malaysia: 0.933s (9th), N/A
18.Valencia: 1.617s (6th), DNF

* Fell and remounted
** Engine penalty meant a pit lane start.

Using the above figures:
Rossi's average gap to pole: 1.542s
Rossi's average qualifying position: 10th
Rossi's average gap to victory: 30.589s
Rossi's average race result (races finished): 6th

Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury is𓄧sues.

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