Rossi feeling pressure to keep streak alive

Seven wins in as many years at Mugello may make Valentino Rossi a daunting rival when the World Championship visits the Italian track, but the streak also brings its own added pressure to the reigning titlist. After finishing last for the first time in his premier class career at Le Mans a fortnight ago, however, the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice can’t come soon enough for Rossi.

"Racing at Mugello is something incredible for me, but every year it gets more difficult to keep my record going and seven wins in a row is already a lot! I do feel pressure going there, but at the same time it is always amazing and the fans give me an extra motivation that helps me to perform in a different way there,” says the Fiat Yamaha rider, who relinquished his lead of the World Championship in France after a disastrous flag-to-flag race.

“I hope it’s the same again this year, because after Le Mans I really need a good result! It was disappointing but everyone has the occasional bad day and that was ours. Everything possible went wrong but hopefully that is all our bad luck for now and this time, at our home race, we will be back to our best. I always look forward to this race; it’s very busy for me but I have so many amazing memories. Let’s hope to create some more this weekend.”

Rossi trails teammate Jorge Lorenzo by a single point in the standings heading to the Italian event, level with rival Casey Stoner. On three occasions (2004, 2006 and 2007) he has bounced back from non-podium finishes in Le Mans with victories at Mugello the following round.