Post by BADGER on Mar 20, 2007 6:57:08 GMT
Rossi predicts 'big' Pedrosa battle.
Casey Stoner may have defeated Valentino Rossi in the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix, but the former five-times world champion believes it'll be home hero Dani Pedrosa that provides the biggest challenge this weekend at Jerez.
Rossi and Pedrosa have already fought one 'phantom' battle at the Spanish circuit this year - during 'qualifying' at the final pre-season test, when Rossi gained the fastest lap (and a new BMW) by just 0.133secs over Pedrosa as the pair rose a head-and-shoulders 0.77secs above the opposition. The Italian now expects a repeat of that clash, albeit for real, in Sunday's Spanish grand prix.
"Jerez is one of my favourite circuits and I've had some great races there in the past so I hope this is another good year for me there," said Rossi. "Qatar was very quiet, which was a good way to start the season because there were no distractions for me, but Jerez is always a great party with a fantastic atmosphere, so now I am really looking forward to that and I hope we can give the fans a good show. I expect that Pedrosa will be very fast here, as he was in the test, and I expect a big battle with him at his home race."
But Qatar highlighted a clear weakness with Rossi's new Fiat backed Yamaha - a distinct lack of top speed relative to the Ducati of Stoner and, to a lesser extent, the Honda of third placed Pedrosa. However, Rossi doubts that raw horsepower will be as important this weekend, and hopes that his higher corner speed will give him the edge.
"I'm feeling confident for Jerez, I think it will suit our bike very well, even better than Qatar, and we were very strong [at Jerez] in the test. We know we lack a bit of horsepower but I think this will improve race-by-race and Yamaha are working very hard. I don't expect it to be a big problem in Jerez as it's a different type of track [to Qatar]," explained The Doctor.
:corn:
Casey Stoner may have defeated Valentino Rossi in the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix, but the former five-times world champion believes it'll be home hero Dani Pedrosa that provides the biggest challenge this weekend at Jerez.
Rossi and Pedrosa have already fought one 'phantom' battle at the Spanish circuit this year - during 'qualifying' at the final pre-season test, when Rossi gained the fastest lap (and a new BMW) by just 0.133secs over Pedrosa as the pair rose a head-and-shoulders 0.77secs above the opposition. The Italian now expects a repeat of that clash, albeit for real, in Sunday's Spanish grand prix.
"Jerez is one of my favourite circuits and I've had some great races there in the past so I hope this is another good year for me there," said Rossi. "Qatar was very quiet, which was a good way to start the season because there were no distractions for me, but Jerez is always a great party with a fantastic atmosphere, so now I am really looking forward to that and I hope we can give the fans a good show. I expect that Pedrosa will be very fast here, as he was in the test, and I expect a big battle with him at his home race."
But Qatar highlighted a clear weakness with Rossi's new Fiat backed Yamaha - a distinct lack of top speed relative to the Ducati of Stoner and, to a lesser extent, the Honda of third placed Pedrosa. However, Rossi doubts that raw horsepower will be as important this weekend, and hopes that his higher corner speed will give him the edge.
"I'm feeling confident for Jerez, I think it will suit our bike very well, even better than Qatar, and we were very strong [at Jerez] in the test. We know we lack a bit of horsepower but I think this will improve race-by-race and Yamaha are working very hard. I don't expect it to be a big problem in Jerez as it's a different type of track [to Qatar]," explained The Doctor.
:corn: