Rossi targets 2007 revenge

2007-03-08 20:35

Paul Defosseux

Losail, Qatar - Italy's five-time world champion Valentino Rossi said his disappointment in last year's championship has added to his motivation to win in 2007, starting with the season-opening race in Qatar on Saturday.

Rossi, who sensationally lost his world title to American Nicky Hayden in the final race in Valencia last year, topped Thursday's free practice session to prove his form on his Yamaha.

After finishing third fastest in the first free practice with a time of 1:56.78 he pulled out all the stops in the second.

"Last year we made mistakes because we felt unbeatable," he said. "To come second once is good, it makes you come back more focused. I have good motivation and don't want to stop."

The Qatar race has dethroned Jerez, Spain, as the first race of the calendar and Rossi is hoping to make it three wins in a row on a circuit often made difficult by sand being blown onto the track.

Rossi said he only had himself to blame after being upstaged to the title last season which would have seen him win a sixth MotoGP title.

The end to the championship in 2006 was the most exciting ever.

Final race of the championship

Leader Hayden crashed in Portugal but then it was the turn of Rossi to fall in the following leg and final race of the championship in Valencia, Spain.

Rossi, who has won seven world titles all categories combined, added he was happy and confident on the run-up to the Qatar test and his brilliant showing in official practice in Jerez two weeks ago, where he won a BMW car following his victory, augurs well for his season.

"It's the first race and it's time to see if the work I have put in during the winter pays off," Rossi added. "Everyone is very excited and motivated and our aim is simple: to win.

"I like the Qatar circuit which is fast and fun and where I have already won twice. It gets hot and dusty and the tyre choice becomes very important."

The Italian, who clocked 1:56.464 to top free qualifying on Thursday, believed Spain's Dani Pedrosa was the most consistent during winter practice and would be his main rival for the 2007 title.

Childhood dream come true

"But I think (reigning champion) Nicky Hayden, Loris Capirossi, and my own team-mate Colin Edwards will all be battling for the championship," Rossi continued.

Hayden, third in 2004 and then second the following year in Qatar, is aiming to get on the podium in Saturday's race as he starts the defence of his title he won without much panache - only two race wins in 2006 in the Netherlands and United States.

"I am proud to have the number one on my bike," Hayden said. "It's a childhood dream come true. I like the circuit and I did really well here last year but my aim is to go even better this time."

Pedrosa meanwhile has bad memories from last year's race after he made a poor start and eventually finished sixth. "It will be a close race," Pedrosa said.

Italy's Capirossi, who finished third last year, is also gunning to finish in the top three.

"This fast circuit suits our bikes and tyres," Capirossi said and new Australian teammate Casey Stoney gave a reminder of his prowess on the circuit when he took pole position last year."

- SAPA