Valentino Rossi targets double win to end 2008

Valentino Rossi has targeted victory in the final two races of the season to end his stunning 2008 campaign in positive fashion.

• Get all the latest Moto GP news

Victory in Sepang this weekend followed by success in the season’s final race in Valencia will take the Italian into double figures for the season.

But the Fiat Yamaha rider, who finished second last time out at the Australian GP in Phillip Island, is expecting another tough test from former world champion Casey Stoner.

The 29-year-old said: “We have two races left and I would really like to try to win them both, plus I also want to keep up Yamaha’s excellent podium record this season. I love Malaysia and I have had some great races there in the past, plus it generally suits our bike very well so with any luck we can look forward to a fun weekend.

“That said, we know that Casey will be very strong again as well as others so it will no doubt be a good battle!”

One advantage for Rossi in Malaysia this weekend will be previous knowledge of

Bridgestone tyres at the Sepang circuit.
He tested at the Far East venue twice back in January and February and he said that experience would be crucial.

“I am looking forward to going to Malaysia because we have done quite a bit of testing there with Bridgestone so we have a lot of data – not something we have had for most of this season.

“I was quite strong there in the winter and I hope it’s the same again this time, especially since we know a lot more about the tyres now, “added Rossi.