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MotoGP
MOTOGP: Doc Diagnoses Run-In With Rea
Valentino Rossi and Jonathan Rea discuss their opening-lap near disaster in Sunday's Grand Prix of Aragon.
Valentino Rossi admits that a 300kph braking duel almost ended in disaster for himself and Jonathan Rea on the opening lap of Sunday's Aragon Grand Prix.
Rossi's hopes of a strong showing aboard the latest evolution of the Desmosedici GP12 were lost when he took to the escape road at the end of the back straight on the race's opening lap.
Rossi rejoined in last place and eventually finished 8th while Superbiker Rea raced on to claim 7th in his second outing as replacement for the injured Casey Stoner in the factory Honda team.
The opening lap fireworks were triggered when Rossi made a spilt-second decision to attempt a double-move on Rea and Nicky Hayden, his Ducati teammate.
Rossi later admitted to a mistake as he got innocently squeezed for room by Rea who was ahead and had the line into the final corner.
"It was close with my handlebar and the clutch but we didn't touch," Rossi said. "But it was very, very close. It was okay because if we had touched maybe the result was worse.
"I was on the outside and Rea braked quite early and moved to the right and to avoid taking him out I had to go straight. But it was my mistake -- Rea cannot see me from behind."
While Rossi said no solid contact was made Rea was sure that either Rossi's body or bike tapped him from behind as the pair braked from over 300 kph.
“He made his presence felt," said Rea of the incident. "I’m not sure if it was the bike or my arse he hit but I could feel contact at the end of the straight and then I could see a red Ducati going straight. He obviously made a mistake.”
Rossi was eager to pull a move that would put him clear of Rea and Hayden and a chance of a top six finish after qualifying eighth.
"I was a bit nervous because I had lost time with Rea at the beginning of the first lap; I was bit faster than him, and also Nicky had overtaken me," Rossi said.
"In the straight they opened up (Nicky on the left and Rea on the right), and I had to decide so I went to the right on the outside but it was the wrong decision. Johnny could not see me.
"He braked a little bit early and came over a little to take the line for the corner and I was in the wrong spot. This can happen in the first lap.
"It was a pity because afterwards my pace was not so bad. We made some set-up changes that helped me save the rear tire to the end of the race.
"I could stay with a good rhythm and I could have fought with Bautista for sixth place. This is nothing fantastic but our best potential in this race."
Bautista finished 28 seconds behind race winner Dani Pedrosa (Honda), another reality check for Rossi and Ducati, who are building a two-year losing streak.
Just two weeks ago, with the benefit of two days advance private testing, Rossi was second in the Misano GP, finishing four seconds behind Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha).
Rossi's hopes of a strong showing aboard the latest evolution of the Desmosedici GP12 were lost when he took to the escape road at the end of the back straight on the race's opening lap.
Rossi rejoined in last place and eventually finished 8th while Superbiker Rea raced on to claim 7th in his second outing as replacement for the injured Casey Stoner in the factory Honda team.
The opening lap fireworks were triggered when Rossi made a spilt-second decision to attempt a double-move on Rea and Nicky Hayden, his Ducati teammate.
Rossi later admitted to a mistake as he got innocently squeezed for room by Rea who was ahead and had the line into the final corner.
"It was close with my handlebar and the clutch but we didn't touch," Rossi said. "But it was very, very close. It was okay because if we had touched maybe the result was worse.
"I was on the outside and Rea braked quite early and moved to the right and to avoid taking him out I had to go straight. But it was my mistake -- Rea cannot see me from behind."
While Rossi said no solid contact was made Rea was sure that either Rossi's body or bike tapped him from behind as the pair braked from over 300 kph.
“He made his presence felt," said Rea of the incident. "I’m not sure if it was the bike or my arse he hit but I could feel contact at the end of the straight and then I could see a red Ducati going straight. He obviously made a mistake.”
Rossi was eager to pull a move that would put him clear of Rea and Hayden and a chance of a top six finish after qualifying eighth.
"I was a bit nervous because I had lost time with Rea at the beginning of the first lap; I was bit faster than him, and also Nicky had overtaken me," Rossi said.
"In the straight they opened up (Nicky on the left and Rea on the right), and I had to decide so I went to the right on the outside but it was the wrong decision. Johnny could not see me.
"He braked a little bit early and came over a little to take the line for the corner and I was in the wrong spot. This can happen in the first lap.
"It was a pity because afterwards my pace was not so bad. We made some set-up changes that helped me save the rear tire to the end of the race.
"I could stay with a good rhythm and I could have fought with Bautista for sixth place. This is nothing fantastic but our best potential in this race."
Bautista finished 28 seconds behind race winner Dani Pedrosa (Honda), another reality check for Rossi and Ducati, who are building a two-year losing streak.
Just two weeks ago, with the benefit of two days advance private testing, Rossi was second in the Misano GP, finishing four seconds behind Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha).
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