Japanese MotoGP: Rossi warns Saturday weather ‘may be worse’

Valentino Rossi agrees with the decision to cancel the Friday practice sessions at Motegi, but is concerned that worse weather is still to come...

Valentino Rossi has warned that the already-disrupted Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi could be thrown into even greater jeopardy should the inclement weather that cancelled all of Friday's action get worse on Saturday, as predicted.

So far, no rider has turned a wheel around the Japanese venue after it was deemed that the thick fog around the remote region would have prevented the air ambulance helicopter from landing or taking off.

Though all riders, including Rossi, were in agreement that the practice sessions should not go ahead on these safety grounds, the former champion admits the cancellation could prove more critical come Saturday should the forecasted fog return.

“A great pity about today because there was good conditions for riding on the track” he said. “It was wet but there was no wind and not too much water so it's a pity that because of the helicopter we cannot ride. It's an important day today because it looks like tomorrow the weather will be worse. 

“Anyway we must wait and in the end it was the right decision for safety so I am in full agreement. It is a shame though that we cannot go on the track.”