MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi is in a very strong position as he heads to Indianapolis, but he insists that he will not let up in his pursuit of another title

MotoGP Press Release

Taking a 50-point advantage into the lasts six rounds of the year and heading to a track where he created history as the first ever Moto GP winner last season, Valentino Rossi is confident and optimistic about Indianapolis, but is taking nothing for granted.

As the 2009 season enters its final stages Rossi will continue to demonstrate the focus and ruthlessness which has helped him to six previous premier class titles, knowing that should he slip up his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo will try to take maximum advantage.

Rossi took victory in last year’s inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix in a race curtailed by bad weather (the symptoms of the tail end of Hurricane Ike) and he is looking forward to riding at the iconic U.S. venue once again this weekend. “2008 at Indy was something special because it was the first time we had been there and it is definitely the most famous racetrack in the world,” he stated.

“We didn’t really know what to expect but our bike worked very well and we were fast from the start, in the wet and the dry,” continued the 30 year old. “Every year is a different story, however, so we won’t know where we are until we start our work on Friday afternoon. Last year I had a great win but, like everyone, I really hope that was the only hurricane we ever have to race in and that this time the conditions are more normal.”

Looking at the wider picture, Rossi also commented, “It would be stupid for us to relax and consider the championship won, anything can happen and we know that Lorenzo will be very strong this weekend and determined to make up for the last two races. We must keep focused.”