Valentino Rossi has understood something. If the mountain is not coming, he will have to journey to the top. The road is uncertain. And Ducati will not make it easy. Nobody said it was. Neither the cruise left a trail of reviews, problems, poor performance and doubt on well carved a reputation for years, with nine world titles as collateral.Since leaving his signature on a contract after an announcement Borgo Panigale idyllic Valentino encountered again and again against the elements.

You tried to modify the bike at will to find the driveability. Something that is not required when he left Honda to ride the Yamaha M1. But that machine was versatile, much more approachable, easy to handle. Their pressure did piecework Corse department under the direction of Filippo Preziosi.

Up to four chassis types occurred in the time of one year from carbon to the heavier aluminum. This forced Hayden to redouble efforts to adapt their style to the changes as suggested Valentino tester except for Italian.

But two runs were enough for Valentino realizes that, once in the well, you have two options: one, continue to complain from the bottom, and two, clinging to the stones to try out. The third way, joining Honda and Yamaha is a chimera. Through contracts are unconscionable.

On Sunday, in Jerez, he realized that he must work with what you get. Find the best of himself and wait patiently for the new changes ahead. For example, a new engine, not new but refurbished-for post-race test in Estoril, next Monday. An engine that is sweeter desmodromic, both the opening of the gas as the engine brake in corner entry.

The opposite would be a slow sports suicide. Because the oven is not for buns. Is charged, under high pressure. And it will burst. ”See if it does,” said someone on your team to this newspaper last Saturday, when It was scored in a 13th, “because it can only get worse.” In Jerez the environment in the Ducati box and the hospitality of seethed Phillip Morris. Following statements made to Rossi after the race in Qatar, lunging Ducati did not follow his instructions, not as an engineer, but as pilot-the atmosphere was charged. Oozing concern. Also an unbearable friction between the factory and the pilot. More with the new owner Audi behind. The Germans could, if something does not change, flip the technical team at the factory. Maybe even Japanese clocking for the new company.

In this debate, Phillip Morris is very clear. It has become about Valentino, a brand in itself. The tobacco Ducati press hard to follow another direction. So Preziosi, with which it is rumored that Valentino does not speak for several months, was not in Jerez. The factory designed an engine that allows certain driving licenses Rossi, which reviews day in day out Hayden data which, however, that 1000 is going over like a glove.

Meanwhile, Vale has resigned. ”This bike is lower and longer than the Japanese and tried to change too much,” opened his heart on Sunday. ”I have to ride it more with the Ducati style,” he added. Not as he did in the past. No choice.