Rossi out to make Misano amends

Eurosport - Wed, 27 Aug 16:16:00 2008

Valentino Rossi is out to make amends for last year's disappointment when he races at the San Marino Grand Prix this weekend.

MOTORCYCLING 2008 Yamaha Rossi - 0

The Fiat Yamaha rider suffered a mechanical breakdown last season in a race that is effectively his second 'home' GP.

The Misano circuit is a mere 15km from the town of Tavullia, where he grew up, on the Adriatic Coast and 300km from the team's base in Milan.

"I'm really excited to be going to Misano in such good shape and leading the championship," said Rossi.

"Last year the race was a huge disappointment for us, a very low point of the season, and especially sad because it happened in front of my home fans.

"But this time things are very different: we've had two fantastic races in a row and we are feeling very strong and very confident. We are out to make up for 2007.

"Misano is so close to my home town of Tavullia and I know there will be an army of Italian fans there, and I hope it's going to be a great party for all of them.

"Last year there was some terrible weather before the race as well so I really hope that this year we have sunshine and we can enjoy a fantastic race by the sea."

The multi-world champion heads to the 13th round of the MotoGP series with his sights firmly set on a sixth premier-class title after extending his advantage over Casey Stoner to 50 points in the last round at Brno.

Having missed out on the title for the past two seasons following a five-year winning streak, Rossi's improvement is outlined by the fact that a fifth-place finish this Sunday will see him outscore his tally for either of those campaigns.

The 29-year-old rider's local support is sure to be in party mood at the lively seaside resort as he looks to make up for the disappointment of last year and score three consecutive wins for the second time this season.

Also within Rossi's range is the all-time record for premier-class victories, set at 68 by Giacomo Agostini back in 1976.

"Last year we arrived in Misano with a 60-point disadvantage to Stoner and now we are 50 ahead so the situation is completely reversed and obviously that's great for us," team manager Davide Brivio said.

"Having said that, we still have six difficult races left and there are circuits coming up where we know our rivals will be very strong.

"Misano is one of the places where last year we were not so bad so it could be one of the places we can fight. It is difficult to overtake but I expect and hope for another good show.

"Valentino's targets haven't changed since the start of the season: the first priority is to be on the podium, which is even more crucial at this stage, and when possible fight to win.

"Those objectives remains the same regardless of the points situation."

From Official Website

Comment 2 - 21 of 21

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  1. come.on.rossi.show.that.spoilt.brat.stoner.who.is.the.greatest

    From carollilacblackpool, on Thu 28 Aug 9:52PM

  2. Romania loves Rossi, all the world loves Rossi. This year will bring him the world title for sure... his 6th title in MotoGP and his 8th overall. The Doctor is in good shape after winning in USA and the Czech Rep. and will aim for 25 points at Misano. I'm positive that Sunday Vale and Casey will put on a great show and a thrilling battle for the victory. Go Rossi!!!

    From Rosca D, on Thu 28 Aug 9:39PM

  3. A lot of talk going on about what next from the doctor, if he leaves Moto GP at 32 he could move to WSB and break all the records there after all Troy Bayliss is 39 now and still kicking @#$% in WSB so I reckon Rossi could keep winning there until he's 40. No doubt F1 is out because he's looked at it and doesn't like it but WRC could snap him up if he's not interested in WSB.

    From GEORGE, on Thu 28 Aug 5:21PM

  4. Come on, Rossi,
    take 68th victory,
    show to whole world,
    once again,
    that you are the best of the bests!

    From Big Mouth, on Thu 28 Aug 2:08PM

  5. Rossi is god. the best rider ever.. Want him to win the championship again this year.
    Next year will be a different kettle of fish when all are on bridgestones.. until then gooooo Rossi

    From rogerbaldwin234@..., on Thu 28 Aug 1:02PM

  6. I love Rossi...

    From Syafiq, on Thu 28 Aug 6:24AM

  7. Rossi is God of track racers up there with agostini,hailwood ,surtees ,sheen,schwantz,spenser,doohan,stoner has a long way to go to catch him or them

    From moto_phill, on Wed 27 Aug 7:58PM

  8. over the years i have seen surtees hocking hailwood etc rossi is the greatet i have seen on two wheels

    From tkichenside, on Wed 27 Aug 6:05PM

  9. Hopefully it will be a good race. Rossi should be strong as the yam package is doing great for him. Should be between casey and vale again. Just hope casey dont fall off this time. Go rossi.

    From Gooseuk, on Wed 27 Aug 1:21PM

  10. Good luck Vale! You're the best ever!

    From DUMITRICA D, on Wed 27 Aug 12:20PM

  11. Forza, Vale! Fans are with you, like never before, joyous of your decision to stay in Moto GP!

    From Emilija Jana, on Wed 27 Aug 11:12AM

  12. Casey Stoner is learning the same As Dany Pedrosa. Dani had the upper hand at the start of the season and he realised its no good been in front of Rossi with only a couple of laps as Rossi takes over people at will.Therefore Pedrosa had to push hard to try break Rossi and Fell off.

    Stoner is learning the same. Last year he only had to hit the trotlle and was away from everyone. Rossis bike last year was pure junk. Now Stoner isnt getting the huge gaps and has to fight all the way. Its that which has brought him off twice.

    The last race he must have thought great im off. But not nice for him Rossi was sticking and closing him down.

    Its fair to say all the bikes should be on Bridgestones as with the Tyre set ups its now a 2 statge race between Stoner and Vali.
    The rest are miles behind picking up the scraps.

    From kenny s, on Wed 27 Aug 11:09AM

  13. two years on a bike that under performed nearly every other rider would would have left the team for a better ride but rossi saw what was changing and how the team was evolving and stuck it out a great boost for the team to have that commitment from there rider and now he is 50 points clear and fighting hard for the championship and i hope he wins it , however stoner is a great rider to and has more to come once he realises that he doesnt have to angry on the bike when he makes a mistake he has the speed and ability to beat rossi but he needs to keep his head clear and focus , lets hope that these two riders have many many more fights for the top step of the podium

    From aormk18200, on Wed 27 Aug 7:33AM

  14. FORZA DOTTORE!!!

    From lady warrior, on Tue 26 Aug 10:20PM

  15. The man is the DOCTOR long may he stay exactly that. Then id vote him for pope lol

    From colin p, on Tue 26 Aug 7:29PM

  16. No way he's turning to F1... It'll definitely be too late for that, and i'm really happy he didn't go in that direction. We couldn't enjoy in his awesome performances if he was in F1. Rally is still possible i think, and that would be cool. But his contract with Yamaha is till 2010 so we have 2 more seasons for sure :)

    From tanja_turak, on Tue 26 Aug 6:56PM

  17. stoner is good good rider but can`t stand with king rossi because he`s a legend and still riding.i`m wishing him all the best rally and back to two legs on sunday..

    From young e, on Tue 26 Aug 6:56PM

  18. Yes I agree with you Ryan....He must stay it until he feel cannot fight with the young riders anymore and than turn to F1 not rally cars... Forza Vale !!!!

    From amie, on Tue 26 Aug 6:13PM

  19. Yes I agree with you Ryan....He must stay it until he feel cannot fight with the young riders anymore and than turn to F1 not rally cars... Forza Vale !!!!

    From amie, on Tue 26 Aug 6:05PM

  20. Well considering Rossi said he'll race until he's at least 31 or 32 we have a bit of time. But, even after MotoGP he'll probably take to Rally cars full time. He's a natural I hear.

    From , on Tue 26 Aug 4:41PM
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