MotoGP: Rossi plays down chances of San Marino hat-trick
World champion admits he is still not fully fit
03 September, 13:56
(ANSA) - Rimini, September 3 - MotoGP world champion
Valentino Rossi has played down his chances of claiming his
third San Marino Grand Prix win in three years on Sunday, saying
he is still not fully fit.The Yamaha rider has yet to win a race since returning to competition in Germany in July just six weeks after he broke his right leg in a nasty accident in practice at the Italian Grand Prix, although he has always been in the top five.
''I can't say I'll come first at all costs,'' the 31-year-old said before the San Marino race, which is actually disputed at the Misano track near Rimini, just 20km from Rossi's home town of Tavullia.
''It's an important race for me and for my fans, but I'm not ready to be at my best for a whole race.
''The important thing is to be quick and be up there with the leading riders. I'll be happy if I manage to make the podium.
''We'll be trying our hardest and I really hope I can give the fans a good show''.
Curiously, the nine-time world champion, who will leave Yamaha for Italian team Ducati next season, said the broken leg is not his biggest handicap, but a shoulder injury he has been carrying all year. Having missed four races, Rossi is out of the title race in fifth place with 114 points, 137 behind his Yamaha teammate and runaway championship leader Jorge Lorenzo of Spain.
