Rossi bemoans lack of grip, Honda 'big worry'

Valentino Rossi struggling for rear grip on Movistar Yamaha after ending day one of Argentina MotoGP in eighth place, two seconds adrift of Marc Marquez
Rossi, Argentinian MotoGP 2014
Rossi, Argentinian MotoGP 2014
© Gold and Goose

Movistar Yamaha's Valentino Rossi bemoaned the lack of rear grip on his YZR-M1 after the opening two free practice sessions at the Argentina MotoGP on Friday.

Rossi finished FP2 in eighth position, one place ahead of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo but two seconds off the pace of Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez during MotoGP's debut at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.

"A difficult day here in Argentina at the new track. The conditions are not fantastic and we are struggling very much with the tyres, especially the rear," said Rossi, who managed a best lap in 1m 41.395s.

"I think everyone has a similar problem because the track is very dirty and also very cold. In the afternoon it became a bit better, we worked well with the bike but we still haven't found the right balance so we have to work to make it better.

"I think we can go a lot faster. We have to concentrate on making the tyre work harder as after a few laps the rear slides a lot.

"But the big worry is that the Hondas are too fast for us! Especially Marquez but also Pedrosa."

Rossi had ended FP1 in tenth place but improved his time by over three seconds in the afternoon, while Lorenzo went backwards after leading the way in FP1.

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