Rainey: Rossi will be champion again

As the teams prepare for first practice at Welkom on Friday, April 16, triple world champion Wayne Rainey is predicting that Valentino Rossi will hold on to his title this year.

The season starts on Sunday in South Africa with many predicting the closest competition in years. But Rainey is tipping the young Italian to hang on to the crown, despite his move to Yamaha from the dominant Honda.

Rainey said: ” I believed that before they signed him – put him on a Yamaha, and he’d be champion. Put him on a Kawasaki and he’d be on the rostrum. Racing bikes is so much different from cars. The rider make the difference; and he is the only guy who could be going for the podium on any bike. ”

Rainey added: ” I think Rossi is doing the right thing. Winning the championship on something (other than a Honda) would be much more satisfying. ”

Read the full interview as part of our 12-page MotoGP preview, in the MCN edition of April 14, 2004.

Check the site on Friday for first news from first practice.