Source: Supplied.

Fresh from signing a two-year contract extension to remain in MotoGP with Movistar Yamaha, multi-time world champion Valentino Rossi has delivered an exceptional podium performance at the opening round in Losail, Qatar, over the weekend.

Starting on the third row, Rossi quickly navigated his way into the top three, latching onto front-runners Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) for the greater portion of the 22-lap outing.

While it wasn’t a victory for the Italian hero, he expressed his satisfaction of the result, highlighting the positives of sticking with the leaders right through to the chequered flag.

“It was a great fight and a great race,” Rossi commented. “Sincerely, last year it was a bigger surprise to me – it was less expected then to arrive on the podium. With the bike from this year I feel good. This time I was more competitive and I knew I could do a good race, but you never know if it’s enough for the podium because we were with ten strong riders.

“I tried to push from the beginning, because I started from the third row and on the first lap I was able to overtake some guys. The other key point were the final laps, when like last year the strongest on the track were Dovizioso and Marquez.

“I knew they had enough to change the rhythm, but I’m very happy that I could go with them today and arrive at the finish line close to them, at the end. Unfortunately, it was not enough for the victory, but the podium is a great way to start.”

Rossi will now shift his attention to the second round of the MotoGP World Championship, scheduled to take place 8 April in Argentina.