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Rossi expects “more problems” with leg at Motegi

Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi expects Motegi's track layout to cause him “more problems” than the previous round at Aragon, as he continues his recovery from injury.

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Maverick Viñales, Yamaha Factory Racing

Rossi broke his right leg in late August but made a sooner-than-anticipated return to MotoGP track action at Aragon, ending that race a strong fifth.

Three weeks on from that round, Rossi says his condition is “a lot better” than it had been at the Spanish track – but admits this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix could be more of a challenge because of the Motegi circuit's layout.

He said: “There are more right corners [at Motegi]. Aragon was good for me, because it has a lot of lefts, like Phillip Island - maybe here [I have] some more problems.

“[More] hard braking also is difficult, because with less power in the leg I have to force more with the shoulder.

“After Aragon for two or three days I had some pain, because I unfortunately I have less help from the leg. But we have to see.

“I hope we can be ok, also because my physical condition is a lot better compared to Aragon.”

Rossi added that not being able to train as normal for Motegi has contributed to him still not being at full fitness.

He said: “The leg now is a lot better. Still some pain, but for me on the bike I suppose I can ride, because anyway the leg is better than in Aragon.

“I’m not 100 percent, for sure - also about the training because I have to modify - but I feel not so bad.

“Unfortunately I cannot make my normal [preparation] work, I can’t run, so I have to do something different. For the rest, the same.

“We will see tomorrow. Sincerely during the weekend at Aragon, I felt good. The problem was more Monday and Tuesday [after the weekend].”

Having missed a race due to his injury, Rossi is now 56 points adrift of Honda's championship leader Marc Marquez, with four rounds left to run and 100 points still up for grabs.

Yamaha's main hopes for the title lie with teammate Maverick Vinales, who trails Marquez by 28 points.

Asked whether Yamaha has asked him to help Vinales' championship challenge, Rossi said: “At this moment, no. Usually Yamaha don’t do [team orders].

“But depends very much on the championship. If it’s very close, maybe it’s possible.

“It’s an interesting situation because all three factories [Yamaha, Honda, Ducati] have a second rider who is fast and maybe can help the first rider for the championship. We will see.”

Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont

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