Australia MotoGP: Valentino Rossi looking to bounce back

Valentino Rossi is aiming to bounce back from his bitterly disappointing performance in the recent Estoril MotoGP when his title fight with Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo resumes in Australia this weekend.

The Italian slumped to a frustrating fourth place in Portugal having encountered rear grip issues, with Lorenzo’s fourth victory moving the 22-year-old to within 18-points of Rossi at the top of the 2009 standings.

Reigning world champion Rossi though believes he is a strong contender to bounce back this weekend with the Phillip Island one of his most successful tracks.

The 30-year-old has claimed 10 podium finishes in all classed at the spectacular coastal circuit, located around a two-hour drive south of Melbourne.

Rossi, who is chasing a ninth world title this season and seventh in MotoGP, said: “Estoril was a great disappointment but we have to look at the positive and consider that we still came fourth and took 13 points in these conditions.

“I know that Yamaha have been studying the data very hard to understand what went wrong for us, and we hope that the situation in Phillip Island will be very different.

“I love this track and have some of the greatest memories of my career there and I really want to be in the best shape for this race.

“It’s too long since I’ve won there! I think that the championship is going to be a great fight to the end with Lorenzo, but the next two tracks especially are two of my best.”

Spaniard Lorenzo is also looking forward to the Phillip Island clash, which will be closely followed by the Malaysian GP in Sepang.

Lorenzo said: “I am very happy after my fourth victory this year and now my target is to confirm second place in the championship in Australia.

“I have the chance it if I get a lot of points! This has been my aim all year and I will fight to get it as soon as possible.

“Phillip Island is a track that I love, it’s always special to race there and in my opinion it’s the most beautiful circuit in the championship.

“Last year I couldn’t get the on the podium but I will always remember 2007, when I won with 20 seconds gap.

“All my team is confident and determined to get more good results in these two important weeks!”