PHILLIP ISLAND (Aust): Newly-crowned MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi is seeking to end a two-race losing run at one of his favourite tracks in this weekend's Australian race.

The Italian ace clinched his sixth world premier-class title at Motegi last Sunday, edging out Australian defending champion Casey Stoner in the Japanese Grand Prix.

Rossi, 29, needs to win all of the season's remaining three races here and in Malaysia (Oct 19) and Valencia (Oct 26) to equal his record of 11 victories in a single season, set with Yamaha in 2005.

In almost a decade of racing at Phillip Island, Rossi has enjoyed nine podiums in all classes, including two 250cc wins and an unbeaten five-year streak in MotoGP that included title-clinching victories in 2001 and 2004.

But Rossi has not won here for the past two seasons and he is determined to end that run of outs.
"We have three more races, at tracks which I love, and I am so excited to be able to just have fun at all of them," Rossi said yesterday.

"As everyone knows Phillip Island is one of my favourite tracks, maybe the best of all, and it's an incredible feeling to race here.

"I have won there so many times in my career and losing for the last two years has made me sad so now I have one aim to win.

"It's a special place, the fans are always fantastic and it's the home race for four of my team so I want to do it for them to thank them for their work this year."

The Fiat Yamaha Team make a triumphant return to Australia with the triple crown of riders', teams' and constructors' titles already in the bag.

Stoner said he was focused on a strong performance at his home grand prix this weekend.

"After the recent misfortune we've had it's important to come back here with a strong performance and some solid points," he said.

"We come to Australia with confidence and look to finish the season strongly."

However, it is uncertain how Stoner's injured wrist will hold up for the remaining races of the championship. The Australian revealed the old left wrist problem had hampered him in recent races and he had tried to avoid having it strapped as it hindered movement in his hand.

After a sizzling first half of the season, during which he collected four wins, two seconds and two thirds, Stoner's year collapsed as he battled physical problems.

"I'm just disappointed that we made two mistakes in the mid-point of the season that allowed him (Rossi) to open up such a big advantage," Stoner said.

The Aussie Ducati rider paid tribute to Rossi's remarkable season.

"He's had an amazing season -- he only made one mistake at Assen and the rest of the time he's been on the podium, winning races," he said. -- AFP