MotoGP: Rossi's desire undiminished

(ANSA) - Rome, March 26 - Italy's Valentino Rossi has said his desire for compete is as strong as ever ahead of the start of his 20th grand prix season with Sunday's season-opening MotoGP race in Qatar.
    The nine-time world champion added that he hopes to continue racing for another 10 years.
    "I saw (Tory) Bayliss when he went back to racing in Superbike after eight years and I asked myself why he ever quit," Rossi told reporters referring to Australia's three-time Superbike world champion, who recently came out of retirement to step in for the injured Davide Giugliano on an Aruba.it Ducati.
    "He still wanted to race. That's the most important thing for me. "I still want to race and while I have that desire, I'll keep going," added the 36-year-old.
    "I hope to keep going until I'm 46". The Yamaha rider bounced back last season, coming second to 22-year-old Spanish ace Marc Marquez, after several disappointing campaigns, including two winless years at Ducati. "It's always nice to start a new season," said Rossi, who won seven of his world titles in the premium class.
    "This is my 20th first day at school. The first race is always special, because you feel a little bit different. "You feel the pressure, the adrenaline, like the first day at school".
    The Italian is a resurgent force after changing his diet-and-fitness regime and bringing in Silvano Galbusera as his crew chief after ending his long relationship with Jeremy Burgess.
    "We had two days of (pre-season) tests here and we all suffered for the lack of the third day, which was cancelled due to rain," said Rossi.
    "We would have been able to see what our potential was, but we'll get down to work right away. "I think it'll be a wonderful season". Rossi is second in motorcycling's all-time race-win standings with 108 victories, behind his compatriot Giacomo Agostini, who won 122 grands prix in various classes in the 1960s and 70s.