US MotoGP: Valentino Rossi looking for more American glory

Having won twice in America in 2008, Valentino Rossi is confident he can complete a hat-trick in this weekend’s Laguna Seca clash in California.
The 30-year-old Italian arrives in Laguna in bullish mood having won the last two races in Catalunya and Assen and he told MCN he’s optimistic that he can extend his five-point lead over Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.
“Last year for me America was fantastic because I won two great races, especially here in Laguna but also in Indianapolis. Both were important races for the championship but not it is a different moment. The story of the championship is still to be written but I arrive in good shape and I’m happy because last year I had big pressure to do a good race. I’m quite confident also because in the last two races we have found a good setting for the new bike and we are fast in Barcelona and Assen. We also have good data from last year’s race because my bike in 2008 was very good. We have to start from that base and see what happens, “said Rossi, who clinched his 100th win in Assen last weekend.
Rossi won a dramatic 2008 Laguna Seca clash nearly 12 months ago after a titanic scrap with factory Ducati rider Casey Stoner and he added: “Last year was a strange race because I was able to stay in front of Stoner, even though he was a bit faster than me. Last year I was losing in some parts of the track like the exit of the last corner but I expect the bike this year to be a little better and I hope to be a little bit faster than last year to try and fight.”