Rossi out to make amends at home race return

Valentino Rossi hopes to put his 2007 Misano demons to rest and send the home fans away happy on Sunday.
Valentino Rossi in action (MotoGP)

MotoGP´s return to Misano in 2007 was supposed to be Valentino Rossi´s day. The Italian, chasing a sixth premier class title, was finally able to undertake a true `home race´ at the circuit located just 10km from Tavullia, and thousands of fans would be present to spur him on. However, it all ended on a sour note when he was forced to retire early on with a mechanical problem, and this year `The Doctor´ is determined to alleviate the pain of last year.

`I´m really excited to be going to Misano in such good shape and leading the championship,´ says the Fiat Yamaha man, 50 points clear of reigning World Champion and 2007 Misano racewinner Casey Stoner.

`Last year the race was a huge disappointment for us, a very low point of the season and especially sad because it happened in front of my home fans. But this time things are very different; we´ve had two fantastic races in a row and we are feeling very strong and very confident. We are out to make up for 2007!

The driven Italian is never in need of motivation and, as has become a regularity during his MotoGP career, he has a record in his sights. Having equaled and then bettered Angel Nieto´s all-time total of race victories early on in the season, Rossi now targets parity with MotoGP Legend Giacomo Agostini´s premier class win record of 68. Agostini is sure to be watching on, as will the hordes of Rossi fans preparing once more for their march to Misano.

`Misano is so close to my home town of Tavullia that I know there will be an army of Italian fans there, and I hope it´s going to be a great party for all of them. Last year there was some terrible weather before the race as well so I really hope that this year we have sunshine and we can enjoy a fantastic race by the sea!´ says the 29 year-old, who has warmed up for the event with consecutive victories at Laguna Seca and Brno.