The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team gets back into gear for the Gran Premio dell‘Emilia Romagna e della Riviera di Rimini, held this weekend at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Following yesterday‘s productive Official Misano MotoGP Test, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi are impatient to start round 7 of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship, again held at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Last weekend, Viñales was one of the main protagonists throughout most of the San Marino GP, but a lack of rear grip impeded his performance in the race. The ever hard-working Spaniard jumped into action during the Official Misano MotoGP Test, trying to improve the graining problems he had with the soft and medium rears, and make them more tempting options for this weekend‘s race.

Topping yesterday‘s test, Top Gun is even more adamant to visit the Misano track‘s rostrum at the Emilia Romagna GP and move up from fifth place in the championship standings. So far, he has scored a second place in San Marino in the Moto3 class in 2013 and a third place in the MotoGP class last year.

Rossi had the fans cheering for him last weekend, when it looked like he was going to secure a place on the San Marino podium. Unfortunately, he came just short, but he has another chance this Sunday. He is eager to seize the opportunity, especially since he is currently tied in points with his team-mate, holding sixth place in the overall rankings, 18 points from first.

Living just 10 kilometers from the Misano track, the local hero knows the circuit like no other, and it shows in his impressive record. He stood on the San Marino MotoGP podium six times, scoring three victories, in 2008, 2009 and 2014, two second places, in 2012 and 2016, and a third place in 2010.

The Misano circuit, constructed in 1972, was a regular venue for Italian Grands Prix throughout the 80s and early 90s. The 4.2km track is ridden clockwise, since a radical renovation was done to meet MotoGP's safety regulations in 2007 that put the circuit back on the MotoGP calendar. The upgrade also included a new chicane, resulting in the current lay-out of six left and ten right corners and giving the track increased racing excitement.

To celebrate the launch of the new Abarth 595 Monster Energy Yamaha, both Viñales' and Rossi's M1s will proudly display Official Sponsor Abarth's logo during the Emilia Romagna GP on the front cowl.

For more information on the Abarth 595 Monster Energy Yamaha see: - http://www.abarth.com/595-monster-energy-yamaha

Moreover, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team continue to support the fifth edition of the KiSS Misano (KiSS stands for Keep it Shiny & Sustainable) programme. With only a small number of fans allowed to visit the grandstand areas of the track this year, the 2020 KiSS Misano action plan has been revised and downsized compared to previous editions. This year's initiatives include waste management at the track (including PPI products used as Covid-19 prevention measures), as well as a communication plan to raise awareness on sustainability and Covid-19 prevention best practices in motorsports through the KiSS Misano social media channels.

For more information see:

Website: http://www.kissmisano.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kissmisano/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kissmisano
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissmisano/


Maverick Viñales

"The feeling I had during the test was really positive. I was fast on both the medium and the soft rear tyre, so for sure we will try these tyre options again over the upcoming weekend. We tried some new items for the bike yesterday, and I felt really comfortable. I was setting good lap times without having to push all the way to the limit, so this is positive. However, we haven't been able to test these new features under the exact same circumstances we have in the race, when we ride with a lot of Moto2 rubber on the track, so we'll have to wait and see. In any case, I will be pushing 100% again, so I can start from the front to make sure we are in with the best chance possible to ride a good race."

Valentino Rossi

"I am happy that we have another race here in Misano. Last week I was close to the podium, the race was just one lap too long. We did many laps yesterday during the test, and we found something positive that can maybe help us this weekend to be stronger. I want to fight for the podium again, but the level is very high, and the championship is very close. We will do our best."

Massimo Meregalli

"After a positive testing day, we are ready to start racing again. Having the test day between these two races is convenient for us, because it provides extra time to work on some of the concerns we had last Sunday. During yesterday‘s session, Maverick solved the graining issue he had when riding with the medium tyre. This could be critical for Sunday‘s race. As for Valentino, he came so close to a podium last weekend. To miss out at your home race on the last lap is really painful, so for sure we are trying everything we can to get him up the rostrum this race. He found some improvements for his bike during the Misano test, so we are excited to see if he can once again fight for top positions this weekend."