For
the first time since Assen in 2015, Valentino Rossi will start from pole
position as the Michelin tyres have given him new life.
Valentino Rossi was in no
rush to get out on track during Q2, waiting for clear track as he was
confident he could set a fast lap without following another rider. With
clear tarmac ahead of him, Rossi began to immediately push for a fast
time and set a best time of 1’39.463 at the end of his first run,
placing him third as he went back into the pits. New tyres fitted, Rossi
returned to the track for his second assault. His teammate was leading
the way but Rossi dug deep on his final lap to set a 1’38.736 and take
pole position on his final lap. This is Rossi’s 52nd pole in the premier
class and 62nd career pole. Surprisingly, this saw Rossi draw level
with his teammate as the pair have each taken 62 poles throughout their
careers in the World Championship. At a tight track like Jerez, starting
from pole can offer a rider the chance to avoid any unlucky accidents
through the opening corners.For the third straight race in 2016, Valentino Rossi will line up in pole position as he continues his Qualifying renaissance. Rossi’s last sequence of more than two consecutive front row starts came back in 2009, the new Michelin tyres are at the heart of Rossi’s improved performance. On the French rubber the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider is able to push from the beginning of the 15-minute session, something he was not as confident in doing before. It won’t be an easy race as both Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) line up alongside him on the front row of the grid and have shown great pace over the course of the weekend. With over a decade of experience racing in Jerez, you can expect Rossi to produce a special move or two if it comes down to the last lap.
Valentino Rossi: “We worked a lot because last year we struggled during qualifying. This year, with the Michelin tyres, I feel better and I already started on the front row two times, but pole position is something different, especially here in Jerez. I knew I could be competitive, but during the last races we had some problems and I made a mistake in Austin. We didn‘t take the results we expected, so we have to start doing so now. For sure tomorrow will be very hard with Lorenzo and Marquez, but we are there and we can fight.”
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