**”Valentino Rossi Analyzes Austrian MotoGP: Bagnaia’s Aggressive but Clean Riding, Martin’s Challenge, and Marquez’s Wet Weather Threat”**

Valentino Rossi comments on Pecco Bagnaia's riding style, describing it as "aggressive but not dirty," and discusses the potential for Marc Marquez to secure a victory. Rossi provides an analysis of the sprint race and offers insights into the upcoming Austrian MotoGP.

Valentino Rossi has reviewed the Austrian MotoGP sprint race, where Pecco Bagnaia emerged victorious.

A penalty that forced Jorge Martin to take a long lap gave VR46 Academy alum Bagnaia the opportunity to secure victory in the Saturday race and reclaim the top spot in the championship standings.

Ahead of Sunday’s grand prix, Bagnaia and Martin are tied with 250 points each, but Bagnaia holds the lead because he has more wins.

Rossi commented on Bagnaia's performance to Sky Italia, noting that he began the weekend impressively, starting strong right from the first practice session.

"Martin is present, but on weekends like these, Bagnaia seems to have an edge."

“He's a man of few words, handles the car skillfully, and has remarkable speed. He has made significant progress in every area and currently shows no vulnerabilities.”

"He completes the lap and consistently begins with a strong start, which is crucial. This is a trait seen in champions, such as Verstappen."

“It’s challenging to consistently have a good start; occasionally, people make mistakes. However, he consistently performs well and exhibits remarkable speed.”

Bagnaia is 'aggressive, not dirty'

Rossi asserts that the two-time champion excels under challenging circumstances.

"Yes, he's been putting in maximum effort under pressure recently, finding that additional push,” he mentioned.

"I believe Bagnaia's strength lies in this: he is assertive without being reckless, and he is precise without being overly gentle."

"He has the perfect blend of audacity and assertiveness, handling the Ducati with precision even when braking causes it to slide. Additionally, he has the experience and consistency, rarely making errors. At this point, he's a formidable opponent."

Rossi cautioned Ducati's factory rider Bagnaia that Pramac's Martin might compete for the championship right up to the last day, similar to what happened last year.

"We've participated in numerous races, and despite that, they remain tied in points, so there's a strong chance they'll be neck and neck until the finish," Rossi commented.

"The outcome hinges on various factors. Recently, Bagnaia has been making a strong comeback, gaining significant points in the latest races. It's important to remember that he previously had a substantial lead, possibly around 40 points, but now he's back in contention."

“From now on, we need to keep an eye on each weekend because Martin is extremely quick and rarely errs. He also consistently records the fastest laps and has strong starts. These factors are crucial in MotoGP today, and it's going to be an exciting competition until the season concludes."

Is it preferable to pursue or to be pursued?

Rossi mentioned that he believes Pecco was performing well prior to the break because he had overtaken him.

"However, Martin, who will not be with Ducati next year, is required to switch teams and felt let down because he desired to stay with the red team."

"Upon coming back from his vacation, he immediately got to work and successfully regained the points he had lost."

"I now view it as balanced. From an external perspective, it's clear that both of them are currently doing somewhat better; it's visible to the naked eye."

Is Marc Marquez a contender in Austria?

Rossi was questioned about whether the Red Bull Ring complements Ducati or Bagnaia’s way of riding.

"This circuit has consistently favored Ducati," he stated.

“It’s odd to mention it now, but all of these courses are Ducati-friendly, regardless of whether they are tight, hilly, slow, or fast.”

“This was the original track for Ducati, as the engine's performance set it apart.

"Pecco has consistently performed well on this track in recent years. For Sunday, we need to consider the temperature. The top racers used a soft rear tire, but Bezzecchi opted for a medium one and still had an impressive race, even though he was slightly behind."

"On Sunday, we'll need to observe whether all participants will opt for the medium tires, especially if the temperature matches Saturday's heat, or if the forecast proves correct and it cools down, prompting some to choose the soft tires."

Rossi emphasized that Marc Marquez would pose a significant challenge if the circumstances were to shift.

"Of course, when it rains, you practically begin anew, but Marquez excels in wet conditions and quickly adapted to the Ducati, making him a strong contender," stated his long-time competitor.

"I am hoping for dry weather on Sunday. If I decide to watch the race at the track, I don't want to get wet. Dry conditions would definitely improve the atmosphere for everyone involved – the riders and the spectators alike."

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