Valentino Rossi wary of Casey Stoner threat

MotoGP world championship leader Valentino Rossi is in no doubt Casey Stoner will again provide the toughest opposition when the season resumes in Brno this weekend.

Refreshed after his classic encounter with reigning world champion Stoner in Laguna Seca last month, the Fiat Yamaha rider believes his Aussie rival will be out for revenge in the Czech Republic.

Rossi, who holds a 25-point lead over Ducati rider Stoner going into round 12, said: “Last year we had a bad time at Brno; I could only finish seventh and it was quite disheartening.

“This year, however, we’re going there in a very different frame of mind: leading the championship, following a great win and with our bike and tyres working very well. I’ve had a good summer break, just relaxing with my friends and family, but now I am really looking forward to going racing again.

“I know that Brno is going to be hard and that Casey will be a formidable competitor once again, and we’re going to have to work at the maximum from the first practice in order not to lose any time in finding out the right set-up for our bike.

“We have seven races left and I am dreaming of them all being as fun as Laguna Seca!”