Motegi MotoGP: Valentino Rossi targets more success

Valentino Rossi is confident he can add to his already impressive CV by wrapping up his sixth MotoGP world title in Japan this weekend.

Chasing his first ever four-stroke victory at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, Rossi can become only the second rider in history to regain the title after a two-year gap. The other rider to do this was Giacomo Agostini, who Rossi overhauled recently to become the most successful rider in premier class history with 69 wins.

Rossi is a massive 87-points clear of rival Casey Stoner with just four rounds remaining, and the Italian only needs to finish in the points if the Ducati rider is off the podium.

The Fiat Yamaha rider said it would be a sweet moment for him to win back the crown he last claimed in 2005.

“At the end of 2005 I arrived from five titles in a row in MotoGP, but 2006 and 2007 for me were quite difficult. It was two seasons with a lot of problems, some bad luck and some mistakes of my own.

“I think now I am very different compared to 2005 because first I am older but I have more experience and those two years taught me a lot. They made me grow up a lot and teach me a lot of things about losing and not always winning.

“I am so happy to be back at the top of the championship and to have another chance to try and win the title”, said the 29-year-old, who will test Yamaha’s 2009 prototype YZR-M1 in Japan on Monday.