Valentino Rossi reckons that tomorrow’s Catalunyan MotoGP is crucial to his title hopes.
And the Italian, 30, reckons the next round at Donington Park is equally vital if he is to retain the sport’s top prize.
He said: “For sure they are very important to me and I need to win them both.”
And he underlined that by setting the pace in opening practice at Barcelona.
Click Here For More MotoGP Photos
He was always running at the sharp end of the leaderboard, scrapping with his Fiat Yamaha team-mate and local favourite Jorge Lorenzo.
Rossi added: “We took some good points and, entering one of the most important phases of the championship, this is very important.”
The winner of eight world titles in an illustrious career, Rossi is currently third in the rankings, nine points down on Casey Stoner – with Lorenzo sandwiched between them.
He added: “We still haven’t found the perfect answer to make my bike exactly how I want but I always love racing here.
“I have taken one Spanish win so far this season so I am hoping for another this weekend. We need to keep focused and use what we learnt in Mugello to put us in the right shape.”
| 
|