“We need to improve” - Valentino Rossi ready for return of MotoGP

Valentino Rossi says he is pumped and ready for the second-half of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship season, which kicks off with this weekend’s Czech Republic MotoGP at Brno.

One of the best-attended events on the calendar, the fast sweeping Brno typically attracts a huge wealth of support for ‘The Doctor’ but the Italian comes to the only central European round seeking a change of fortunes after a dismal run of form prior to the summer hiatus.

Anchored by three consecutive DNFs and typified by particularly disappointing qualifying performances, Rossi’s issues have been brought into context by the upturn of form enjoyed by his Monster Yamaha MotoGP team-mate Maverick Vinales, whose win at Assen and second at Sachsenring has lifted him ahead of Rossi in the standings to fifth.

A five-time winner at Brno – the last of which came a decade ago in 2009 – Rossi is determined to start the latter half of the year on more positive footing.

“During this summer break it was important to take some time off after the first part of the season and rest a bit. But now I can't wait to be back on track, back aboard my M1, and concentrate on this second part. We will have two consecutive GPs where it will be necessary to work well and get the best possible results. 

“It will be an important second half of the season because we need to improve, and we'll also begin preparing for 2020, starting with Monday's test. Brno is a track that I've always liked. I want to work well with my team to make it a nice weekend. We need a good result, so we'll do our best.”