Highlights

Motorcycle rider Rossi has sights focused on title

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-09-26 10:33

Italian motorcycle rider Valentino Rossi has his sixth MotoGP title in his sights and intends to be totally focused on winning it from now on, local media reported Monday.

Thanks to his second place finish at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, the Yamaha rider is only 12 points from standings leader Nicky Hayden with two races left in the season: Portugal and Valencia.

"Twelve points are not much but they're still 12 points and I have to make them up on a couple of difficult tracks," Rossi admitted.

"It's not going to be easy for us but it's not going to be easy for Hayden and Honda either. If I can ride the way I want to, my team and I are potentially superior," the Italian ace observed.

Looking ahead to the next two races, Rossi said that "nerves are going to play a big role. But I know my potential and I know I can give it my all right up to the very end. I've been on the podium for the last four races and this season every point is going to count."