Rossi off the pace at Portimao; ‘I expected to be stronger, more competitive’

Day-one of the Algarve MotoGP was certainly one to forget for nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi after finishing 21st. 

Things got off to an even worse start for the Petronas Yamaha rider in FP1 as he finished last - over four tenths away from Repsol Honda test rider Stefan Bradl who is replacing Marc Marquez this weekend. 

And while Rossi narrowly reduced his deficit from the leader in FP1 to FP2, the Italian was still 1.8 seconds adrift of 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo, with only team-mate Andrea Dovizioso going slower. 

Given the performance shown by both Monster Energy Yamaha riders - Quartararo topped both sessions while Franco Morbidelli was a consistent top ten runner, it’s no surprise Rossi ‘expected to be more competitive, to be stronger’. 

Speaking in his media debrief, Rossi added: "It was a difficult day today. I expected to be more competitive, to be stronger, but I didn’t have a good feeling with the tyres, especially on the rear. 

"We don’t have enough grip. In the afternoon I also tried the hard rear because in April we put the hard rear and we did a very good step and also in the race I felt much better because it gave me better stability and I could go faster. 

"But today it is still a bit too cold. So I tried the hard tyre but it didn't work. Under that point of view we are not ready. 

"I hope that the conditions of the track and the weather can get better, also because the track is a bit slippery. So, we hope for this and to be faster."