Aragon ‘not fantastic for me, one of the worst tracks in my career’ - Rossi

Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi endured a tough opening day at Aragon after finishing MotoGP FP2 in P18. 

The Italian was unable to secure a top ten during the afternoon’s final time-attack runs, while fellow Yamaha riders Cal Crutchlow and Fabio Quartararo were able to do exactly that with third and seventh on the same machinery.

Rossi was already on the backfoot heading into FP2 following a crash this morning which cost him the last part of practice.

"Today was difficult for me. Sincerely, we expect more but this track is not fantastic for the Yamaha on paper, but also it’s not fantastic for me," said Rossi.  

"It’s one of the worst tracks in my career where I suffer a bit too much. Anyway, we worked and this morning we didn't start well because I also did a mistake, I crashed. 

"We also lost the last part of the practice. This afternoon was a bit better and we tried some different things. 

"We worked a lot to try and save the rear tyre that here, but also a lot of times in the last years is a very important thing. 

"So, the bike changed a little bit compared to my normal setting, but we have to try and save the tyres. In the end, the time-attack is not too bad because I am just one second off the pole position, but the problem is that everybody is there and I am P18. 

"So, the position is quite bad, but we need to try to work and improve. Usually during the weekend the track here in Aragon improves with grip and more rubber on the ground, so, we have to try and follow the track and try to improve with them." 

Cooler temperatures last time out at Silverstone meant Rossi had to use the soft rear in the race - a tyre he doesn’t usually like to race with, however, Aragon’s hotter conditions could be more favourable as the hard is likely to be used.

Speaking about this, Rossi added: "For me, here compared to Silverstone we have a lot more temperature and maybe we can use the hard rear. 

"For us it's good news because usually with the hard I can keep a regular pace for more laps. 

"In cold conditions when you have to use soft tyres we suffer more usually. So, under this point of view it’s not so bad."