France MotoGP: ‘I want to be stronger, recover positions, be faster’ - Rossi

Valentino Rossi hopes to carry forward positive Jerez test momentum into this weekend’s fifth MotoGP race of the year. Says Le Mans is a ‘great track, with a lot of changes in direction, really nice to ride’. 
Valentino Rossi, Spanish MotoGP race, 2 May 2021
Valentino Rossi, Spanish MotoGP race, 2 May 2021
© Gold and Goose

Valentino Rossi’s worst start to a MotoGP seas♏on across all the classes in 25 years continued last time out in Jerez, as the Petronas Yamaha rider struggled on his way ♌to 17th. 

Rossi had never gone the opening four races of a season without a top ten finish since his debut in the 125cc champ💟ionship with Aprilia in 1996 until this 𒐪year. 

Rossi’s struggles have been compounded by 🐓Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo on identical spec machinery taking three of the four wins so far in 2021 - should have been four from four if not for Quartar🧸aro’s arm pump issue at Jerez while leading. 

However, Rossi seemed to be happier following the one-day test in Andalusia a week ago saying they improved ‘different aspects’, which he hoꦗpes to bring🌜 forward into Le Mans. 

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Speaking ahead of this weekend, the nine-time world champion added: "Undoubtedly this weekend I want to be stronger, recover positions and be faster compared to the last🔜 round in 𝔉Jerez. 

"Last year I was strong in the dry⛎ conditions in Le Mans, I was fast and had a good race pace, but it started to rain just before the race and I𓃲 crashed on the first corner. 

"It’s a great track, with a lot of changes in direction due to the chicanes and I like it a lot. With good grip and strong acceleration, it is a rea🎃lly ༒nice track to ride. 

"We hope that we can have good weather from FP1 until the end of the race. We had a good test last week in Jerez, where we were able to improve different aspects and I hope that we seꦍe this also at Le Mans."

Rossi’s last win at Le Mans came in 2008, but the 42 year-old has seven podiums since then including four second places, although scoring points will be the realistic aim one&𓆉nbsp;would imagine come Sunday.  

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