Valentino Rossi could be satisfied with the job done, even if rain stopped his work during the second and last day of testing in Jerez. The Italian arrived there after a tough season, probably one of his most difficult one, where he only achieved two podiums in the beginning of the season and struggled a lot, especially with his engine which was much slower than his rivals.

This is why tests are crucial for him and Yamaha, as long as both want to come back on top in the next season, who will be really important also to know the future of the Italian who should decide about renewing once again his contract to stay for at least another year in MotoGP or to retire himself from racing after over 20 years of career in the World Championship.

Rossi started to express his thoughts about the Day in Jerez: “Rain was a shame, we planned to do important comparison but I only managed to do ten laps on dry asphalt and a bunch of laps on wet. I had better feeling, on Day 1 I was not happy but we worked on the setup and after only 3 laps I was faster, I felt competitive. New engine is not bad overall, this tests were important for two reason: first one was new crew chief, David Munoz, and the second one was testing the new bike”.

Valentino then said how he is feeling with David Munoz, who will replace Silvano Galbusera from next season: “The problem is not the moral to be honest, the real one is the result we got this year. When you make positive things everything is fine, otherwise it is all more hard. We just need to win and everything it is good (laugh). Anyway, everyone is happy about David, is young and he has another method of work. We just need time to increase our chemistry and he needs more time to know the bike. He is more prepared on the shoulders and he uses really well new technologies, I am happy”.

It was the moment then to talk about the new Yamaha M1 2020: “Overall I am satisfied, we improved a lot, even if there are still problems. There is still a lot of work to do. Top speed difference is still consistent, I felt some improvement with the engine but we need more; I hope in Sepang we will have something better. Maverick is always amazing during the tests, but it is not the first time we are fast during practices and then we struggle in the race with the tyres. I am happy that the other Yamahas are fast, but we need to keep working”.

At the end, Valentino tried to analyze the whole situation: “Ducati seemed to be fast, Dovizioso did not push over the limit as usual, but he was strong and Suzukis as well were fast. At the moment it seems that we have ten riders able to fight for podiums and wins next year”.
Now it is time to rest, even if Rossi is involved with some events as the swap with Lewis Hamilton in Valencia and the 8 hour of Abu Dhabi, but the Italian could recharge himself to come back at the maximum for 2020 season.