Podium a “great feeling” for Rossi after intense battle
The Italian came out on top in an awesome fight with Fiat Yamaha team-mate and Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo for the final podium spot in the Grand Prix of Japan.
Valentino Rossi was delighted to be back on the podium at Motegi on Sunday after an exhilarating fight with Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo for third place. Having placed sixth last time out at Aragón the Italian was determined to score his sixth rostrum result of the 2010 campaign and did so in some style.
The pair played out a thrilling race-long contest for third position and things heated up on the final three laps, as Rossi and Lorenzo touched fairings whilst jostling for position.
"What a great race!” said Rossi after edging his team-mate. “Of course I would have preferred to be battling for the win but anyway it was a great feeling, a real show and I want to congratulate Jorge because he was very strong and didn't give up!”
“Unfortunately I lost time at the start when he passed me so Stoner and Dovizioso got away, and by the time I passed him again they were too far ahead. At the end I was tired and my tyre was sliding a lot, it was a bit softer than I would have liked, so I knew I was going to be in trouble but I wanted the podium so much. Jorge came back at me and we had a great battle, proper racing - I think everyone watching enjoyed it.”
The result was the culmination of a weekend throughout which the reigning World Champion was fast, having secured second place on the starting grid.
He concluded by adding: “It's been a great weekend because we expected it to be difficult but in fact we've been strong in every session and worked very well on our bike. The shoulder is okay at the moment so let's go to Malaysia and see if we can continue like this, or better!"
Despite his result Rossi dropped to fifth in the overall standings, but is just three points behind Andrea Dovizioso.
The pair played out a thrilling race-long contest for third position and things heated up on the final three laps, as Rossi and Lorenzo touched fairings whilst jostling for position.
"What a great race!” said Rossi after edging his team-mate. “Of course I would have preferred to be battling for the win but anyway it was a great feeling, a real show and I want to congratulate Jorge because he was very strong and didn't give up!”
“Unfortunately I lost time at the start when he passed me so Stoner and Dovizioso got away, and by the time I passed him again they were too far ahead. At the end I was tired and my tyre was sliding a lot, it was a bit softer than I would have liked, so I knew I was going to be in trouble but I wanted the podium so much. Jorge came back at me and we had a great battle, proper racing - I think everyone watching enjoyed it.”
The result was the culmination of a weekend throughout which the reigning World Champion was fast, having secured second place on the starting grid.
He concluded by adding: “It's been a great weekend because we expected it to be difficult but in fact we've been strong in every session and worked very well on our bike. The shoulder is okay at the moment so let's go to Malaysia and see if we can continue like this, or better!"
Despite his result Rossi dropped to fifth in the overall standings, but is just three points behind Andrea Dovizioso.
