Rossi still focused despite points cushion
Added on Thursday, August 27th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Rossi still focused despite points cushion
Valentino Rossi has again insisted that there is no room to relax ahead of this weekend’s Indianapolis Grand Prix, despite opening up a 50-point lead in the MotoGP rider’s standings.
The world champion saw his title defence receive a huge boost as teammate Jorge Lorenzo crashed out of first place in Brno to hand him his fifth win of the season and a two-race points cushion in the championship.
That prompted Lorenzo to concede that his title chances were over, believing that his teammate was too far ahead of the rest of the field. In addition, with Casey Stoner missing three rounds of the season starting at Brno a fortnight ago, a ninth world championship looks to be Rossi’s for the taking.
But the Yamaha rider is keeping his feet on the ground, wary of the threat that Lorenzo poses as the season reaches its climax.
“As I said in Brno, 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.”
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s round at the IMS, Rossi was hopeful of more favourable weather than last year, when Hurricane Ike brought an abrupt ending to proceedings.
“2008 in 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. 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.
“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’!
