Rossi aims to continue momentum

MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has set himself the target of being in contention to retain his title at the final round of the series next month.

The Camel Yamaha rider thought his chances of retaining the title were gone after failing to score in several rounds. But victory in the last round at Sepang in Malaysia has seen Rossi close the gap on points leader Nicky Hayden to 26.

American Hayden has seen his form dip since winning his home race at Laguna Seca at the end of July. With four races remaining Rossi is closing in on the Repsol Hondas of Hayden and his Spanish team-mate Dani Pedrosa who heads the Italian by four points. Rossi aims to go into the final round at Valencia, Spain, on October 29 with a chance of retaining the title with the first of those four rounds at Phillip Island in Australia on Sunday.

Rossi has won at Phillip Island for the last five years and is looking to continue that winning run. "I always look forward to this race a lot, and especially now, when my bike is working so well," said Rossi. "Phillip Island and Australia in general is a special place, very beautiful. This race is very important for my team, because many of them are Australian and it's their home race, like Mugello for me. I want to thank them for all their hard work by doing well."

Rossi hopes to keep the winning feeling at Phillip Island and then use his recent momentum to reel in Hayden. "Phillip Island is a magic track for me. I've won a lot of races there and some championships too, I love it," added Rossi. "It's one of my favourite tracks, an 'old style' track. We didn't test there this year but anyway the (Yamaha) M1 always works well there and I love riding there. It's very cold this year, so it's going to be difficult with the tyres, but I am really looking forward to it.

"After Laguna I didn't entirely believe in my chances for the championship any more, but then after Brno I said to myself 'okay we still have a chance, we can try'. "Now my objective is to win as many races as possible, then we will see in Valencia."