Wednesday July 22, 2009 at 12:24pm
Following a commanding win at the Sachensring Valentino Rossi is heading for Donington Park and this Sunday's British Motorcycle Grand Prix in a confient mood.
The current World Champion intends to take his fifth victory of the 2009 campaign at the Leicestershire venue, a track which he enjoys.
The Fiat Yamaha rider increased his lead in the title chase to 14 points over his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo thanks to his win last time out in Germany. Rossi is planning more winning action at his final appearance at Donington Park before MotoGP moves to Silverstone for 2010.
He said: "This is the last year we are going to race there which I am really sad about, but that makes me even more determined to try to win there, for me and for the fans who have always treated me like one of their own. I haven't won there since 2005, which is too long and I would like to say ‘goodbye' to the track in the best way."
It won’t be straight forward as Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and last year’s winner, Casey Stoner, riding Ducati will be determined to get in the way.
Rossi continued: "I've always said that Donington is one of my favourite tracks in the world - it's fast and flowing but also technical - and also the UK is a very special place for me because for a long time it was my home. and we're arriving leading in the championship so we're in a very strong position."
Rossi does have an advantage in that he is the only fully fit rider in the top four as Lorenzo is riding through the pain of a shoulder injury sustained at Laguna Seca and his hard fought second place in German will have drained him further.
Lorenzo commented: "I will try to relax for a few days at least and build my strength some more. I like Donington a lot and this is the last year there so I would like to try and leave with a good result. I expect that all the British fans are hoping for another race like in Sachsenring, so we will see what we can do."
Stoner is fighting off mild anaemia and gastritis along with sore ribs, but he intends to make it three straight wins at Donington to close the points gap on Rossi.
Pedrosa is still suffering the after effects of several heavy tumbles but is much stronger now, the Repsol Honda rider needs a repeat of his 2006 Donington Park success as he plays catch-up in the title stakes from fourth place.
Local rider, Yorkshireman James Toseland is also eager for a strong result aboard the Monster Tech3 Yamaha in front of his home fans. His 2008 race lasted until the first corner where he crashed out, this time round he is determined to give his fans something to cheers about.
The 125 race is packed full of British talent. Gloucestershire teenager Scott Redding is back for more after his stunning maiden victory at Donington last year, while Oxfordshire's Bradley Smith needs a maximum points haul to put his title bid back on track.
Smith has won twice so far this season and is third in the standings going into his home race. Keep an eye also on Danny Webb and the ‘wild-card' riders, led by current British series leader Jamie Lodge together with his KRP team-mates Martin Glossop, Tim Hastings and Paul Jordan.
In the 250cc Grand Prix ‘wild-card' riders Toby Markham, Alex Kenchington and Luke Mossey are keen to spring a surprise and keep the British crowds on their toes.
Ahead of the races, there is practice and qualifying for all three Grand Prix classes, and on both Saturday and Sunday there is a busy supporting race programme of domestic championship action.