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Yamaha riders express tyre fears for Phillip Island

Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo arrive at Phillip Island for this weekend's MotoGP race uncertain about the performance of the Michelin tyres, following several crashes in last winter's test.

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Yamaha

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing, Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing, Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing

As temperatures fell on the last of three days of testing at the Australian circuit, there were 13 accidents – although they were not as low as they are now.

With the sun out at 10am, it was 12 degrees Celsius, but some forecasts predict it could go as low as 6degC when it gets dark.

On top of that, as of right now, the majority of the forecasts indicate a very high chance of rain for Friday (90 percent on average) and not so high for Saturday (around 45 percent). That, when there's a part of the grid that doesn't trust the tyres, means a stressful weekend is expected.

In Japan, Marc Marquez clinched the title after the crashes of Rossi, on Lap 7, and Lorenzo, on Lap 19. Never, in the seven years they have been teammates, had they both crashed in the same race.

As both said after their accidents, neither understood the reasons why they ended up on the gravel. That is what generates the biggest doubts in a rider, especially ahead of a grand prix that is expected to be cold.

"If it's cold, we'll have to be very careful because we already had to be with the Bridgestones," said Rossi. However, he added: "Let's not lose our minds ahead of time, because last year the weather was very good.

"They say it's six degrees there, so if that's the case we are better off playing with the PlayStation, which will be less dangerous!"

On his Japan crash, he added: "It was an unexpected fall. I don't have the feeling of having done anything different, but it's clear that if I crashed it's because I made a mistake."

Lorenzo was less talkative and very angry after having missed the chance to overtake his teammate following an accident that highlighted how sensitive the Michelins are.

"I opened the throttle half a meter earlier than on the previous lap and that was enough," said the Spaniard.

"Michelin and Bridgestone are two different manufacturers, with two different philosophies. The pace is similar between them, but with the Michelins there are many more accidents.

"They have to improve the grip of the rear tyre under acceleration, because it slides a lot, and also the front one.

"There's a lot of crashes because of the tyres. They don't give you any warning, and when you realise, you are already on the ground."

One of the hopes for the three-time champion is the new compound that Michelin is taking to Phillip Island this weekend, designed specifically for the track based on data gathered during the winter test.

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