MotoGP news: Valentino Rossi Misano homecoming could be derailed
MOTOGP sensation Marc Marquez says he’s ready to secure glory at Valentino Rossi’s stomping ground on Sunday in Misano.
Cal Crutchlow plays Snakes and Ladders with young girl
The British Grand Prix was called off following torrential rain at Silverstone.
But the calendar continues this weekend in Italy and Marquez is in a confident mood having won on Rossi’s turf last season.
“Misano is a twisty track and a slower one compared to others on the calendar, with a lot of braking and acceleration," Marquez told Crash.net.
"It’s been a good circuit for us in the past; we have many good memories and we’ll definitely try to add a new one to the list next Sunday.
Valentino Rossi is still second in the overall standings
"Last year I felt good on the bike and I could ride as I like, but on Friday we’ll go on track with the usual mentality, prepared to deal with and to adapt to every situation we find.
"We’ll try to understand the conditions and the grip of the track, looking to improve session by session, hopefully during a sunny and warm weekend!”
Rossi is still second in the overall standings, but is a whopping 59 points behind Marquez.
Jack Miller - who rides for Pramac Ducati - has hailed Rossi’s influence behind the scenes.
However, the 23-year-old told the Daily Star it’s only matter of time before he starts slipping down the standings.
“He’s a good guy and really down to earth,” Miller said.
“You could say because of his position you wouldn’t expect it.
“But he’s a fierce competitor on the track.
“It’s going to be hard for him with the form Dovizioso and Lorenzo have got at the moment.
“I think they’re hot on him, that’s for sure.”
Rossi’s Yamaha M1 bike has been been held back by electronics issues throughout the campaign.
But Miller says the Doctor has a unique ability to turn on the style.
He added: “I don’t know what it is, but he always seems to pull it out of the bag on race day.
“I don’t think he’s had too many big issues come race day, it’s just problems before that where you start off on the wrong foot.”
MotoGP overall standings:
Marc Marquez 201
Valentino Rossi 142
Jorge Lorenzo 130
Andrea Dovizioso 129
Maverick Vinales 113
Danilo Petrucci 105
Johann Zarco 104
Cal Crutchlow 103
Andrea Iannone 84
Alex Rins 66
Dani Pedrosa 66
Jack Miller 61
Alvaro Bautista 57
Tito Rabat 35
Pol Espargaro 32
Hafizh Syahrin 24
Franco Morbidelli 22
Aleix Espargaro 17
Bradley Smith 15
Scott Redding 12
Takaaki Nakagami 11
Mika Kallio 6
Karel Abraham 4
Thomas Luthi 0
Stefan Bradl 0
Xavier Simeon 0
Sylvain Guintoli 0