Rossi: We'll give it our all

After missing last year’s Misano MotoGP due to a broken leg in a training accident, Valentino Rossi will make a popular racing return in front of his local fans this weekend.

The Italian star delighted the partisan crown with victories in 2008, 2009 and 2014 while a fourth win this weekend would also end Yamaha’s 21-race losing streak, stretching back to The Doctor’s victory at Assen last season.

“It’s always special when you arrive at your home GP. There will be many friends and fans at the circuit and we’ll give it our all to make it a nice weekend,” Rossi said.

“We were in Misano for a test a few weeks ago and we will have to pick up our work again from where we left off.

“We’ll give our maximum to start the weekend in the best way possible and do a good race, fighting for the podium. I hope the weather will be good, so everybody can enjoy this weekend.”

After the Silverstone cancellation, Rossi remains second in the world championship, 59-points from Marc Marquez and only 12-clear of Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo, with seven rounds to go.

Rossi and team-mate Maverick Vinales were among the riders on track for a private test at Aragon last week, as efforts continue to improve the M1’s acceleration.

A mix of engine and electronic changes are predicted to be needed, with electronic tweaks tried at the previous Misano test.

Was a prototype 2019 engine on track at Aragon? At present the team are saying little about the test, stating only that it was ‘to find additional information’.

“After the successful private test [at Misano] a few weeks ago as well as the one we had in Aragon last week, we are in a positive mindset to start racing again,” said team director Massimo Meregalli.