Valentino Rossi is blunt about Pecco Bagnaia’s struggles

Speaking to Sky, Valentino Rossi did not hide his concern for his friend and protégé Pecco Bagnaia, who is once again struggling this year on the Ducati.

The Piedmontese rider just can’t seem to find his rhythm on the bike, and even at Misano he lagged behind the leaders in practice: “I see him struggling; he’s not riding well. It seems to me that he’s losing a lot of grip under braking, as if the engine braking and the electronics settings aren’t right. I saw him struggling again this Friday.”

The Doctor also commented on Bulega’s arrival at VR46: “We’re very happy because he started out with us, at the Academy, so we know him very well. Then our paths diverged, but he’s done a fantastic job in Superbike, so I’m happy he’ll be racing for us next year. I think he can do well because he already knows the bike and the tires.”

“I feel bad for Franco Morbidelli; I’m sorry we have to part ways, and I’m sorry he didn’t find another spot in MotoGP—that was his goal. But he’ll most likely have a top spot in Superbike, so he’ll be able to fight for the title there, too.”

The new regulations with less aerodynamics: “Will I test them on the track? I would have preferred to test these, because they’re more different from the ones I used to ride. But starting next year, they’ll be more similar again. I’m a Yamaha ambassador, so if they ask me to test it, why not?”