Rossi off to best start since 2009

It’s six years since Valentino Rossi last led the world championship after three races and the Italian is now a rejuvenated rider and while he is not yet the bookies favourite he has put himself into prime position to win a tenth world title this year.

When asked how it felt to lead the championship as MotoGP heads back to its European heartland Rossis said:

“I’m so happy because we are competitive everywhere,” said Rossi. “We know that we have to suffer in Austin, and we suffer but we arrive third. Argentina is on paper is a good track the Yamaha, but we struggling in the practice. But is important to demonstrate that we are strong especially in the race, we have a better pace than last year, that we can fight for the victory every weekend, this is the target.

“I’m very happy about these three races, because it looks like we can be very strong. It’s true that I am in front, but especially have the potential for make good race, because we work very well. The bike is quite slow in the straight, but we improve and sincerely this we don’t understand why, because it is slower than last year, but apart for this the Yamaha work very well. We improved some points where last year we were in trouble, especially compared to Marc, so we can fight.”

That Rossi and Yamaha have improved since last year has been perfectly clear for all to see and with Rossi having won eight times at Jerez he’ll be keen to add his first win since 2009 at the Spanish track when the MotoGP season resumes next weekend.