MotoGP: Valentino Rossi’s focus no problem says Jerry Burgess

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess reckons the Italian’s current off-track problems are proving no distraction in his bid to fight with Casey Stoner in the MotoGP world championship.

The 28-year-old is currently under investigation by Italian authorities for tax evasion, but Burgess said the seven-times world champion was 100 per cent concentrated on racing in MotoGP.

Rossi was only seventh in the Czech Republic GP in Brno earlier this month, while Stoner romped to a seventh win to extend his lead in the series to a massive 60-points.

Burgess has already conceded that Rossi’s world title hopes have evaporated, but asked about the Yamaha star’s state of mind at present he said: “I haven’t seen it affecting him in anyway. I’m not privy to any of his dealings at all. The Italian press seems to get hold of massive amounts of stuff but it’s of no interest to me. It’s none of my business so you’d have to speak to him about it.”