MotoGP – Preview Donington – Valentino Rossi: "I want to leave with a victory"

After having achieved his 101st victory at the Sachsenring since he competed in the world championship and after having equaled Giacomo Agostini's podium record (159), Valentino Rossi is preparing to take part in his last race at Donington Park, a track which will be replaced next year by calendar from Silvertsone. The rider from Pesaro loves the English track and therefore wants to leave it with a victory, a victory he has missed since 2005. By getting on the podium at Donington, Rossi would become the rider with the most podiums of all time, a record he certainly won't want to let slip away, especially given his current form. The word is up to him.

“Last year I had a good race at Donington and finished second, but this year I really want to win! I've always said that Donington is one of my favorite circuits in the world, it's fast and flowing, but also technical and the UK is also a very special place for me, because for a long time it was my home. This is the last year we will race and so I'm really sad, but this makes me even more determined to try to win, for myself and for the fans who have always treated me like one of their own. I haven't won there since 2005, it's too long a period and I would like to say 'goodbye' in the best way possible. Last year we couldn't fight with Stoner, but this year our bike is very competitive and we are leaders of the championship so we are in a very strong position. We don't have much time to rest after the Sachsenring, but we have a good break after this race. We hope to extend our leadership.”