Rossi: "Our pace isn't bad and we can try to fight"

The 'Doctor' lines up seventh in Austria - but is ready for a Sunday showdown

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) thought he could aim for the front row at the Austrian GP, but struggled to find more grip on the second tyre in qualifying. All is not lost, however, with the rider from Tavullia ready for an assault forward on Sunday.

Originally dismissing the new aero-fairing for use in Austria, it was back out on track on Saturday and found to be helpful. That, added to improvements on race tyres made throughout the weekend, meaning the 'Doctor' is hopeful he can get in the battle - despite the added difficulty of starting from seventh.

Valentino Rossi, P7: “Yeah, it was a good Saturday because we improve the bike a lot, especially with the race tyres. I think my potential was better and that I could try for the front row or the top five, but unfortunately, the second tyre was worse and when I tried to push I had too much spin. Unfortunately, this sometimes happens and we have to start from the third row which makes it difficult and very complicated, but my pace is not so bad and we can try to fight. I was wrong because I thought this track was not the best track for the aero-fairing, but the bike wheelie-ing is a big problem, and it works well and is also beautiful.”