Rossi on new Yam deal

Valentino Rossi has spoken in public for the first time today about his new contract with Yamaha on the first day of testing at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

The 27-year-old Italian caught the racing world off guard last week when it was announced that he had extended his current Yamaha contract until the end of the 2008 MotoGP world championship.

Rossi, who was second quickest today in the Far East behind team-mate Colin Edwards, said: “Negotiations have been taking place since last June more or less when I decided to stay in bikes. I always decide from a technical point and I decided I wanted to stay with Yamaha. I am happy if Yamaha is happy.”

Rossi said the new deal underlined his desire to regain the premier class crown that he lost in Valencia last October to American Nicky Hayden, and would avoid any distraction over his speculation that would have surrounded his future had he not signed.

“To lose the 2006 championship – for sure it is better to win twin – but for me and also for Yamaha it is a great motivation to win back the championship.”

See more in Wednesday’s Feb 7 issue of MCN.