Rossi resumes title chase

From Yamaha Racing

The Fiat Yamaha Team resumes its pursuit of the MotoGP World Championship title this weekend after a four-week summer holiday, with Valentino Rossi leading the series into what promises to be a thrilling seven-race climax.

The Czech Republic hosts round 12 of 18, with the town of Brno staging a Grand Prix for the 39th time since the original 14km road circuit was first used back in 1965.

Rossi heads to the motorcycling heartlands of eastern Europe with renewed energy and ready to resume battle at one of his most successful circuits, following a stunning maiden win at Laguna Seca before the break. The 29-year-old took his first ever Grand Prix win at Brno in the 125cc class and has since added to his tally there with a 250cc success and three wins in MotoGP, as well as three second places in the top class.

His success in America, which came after a thrilling tussle with Casey Stoner, means the Italian leads the Australian by 25 points at the top of the standings.

"Last year we had a bad time at Brno; I could only finish seventh and it was quite disheartening," Rossi said. "This year, however, we're going there in a very different frame of mind: leading the championship, following a great win and with our bike and tires working very well. I've had a good summer break, just relaxing with my friends and family, but now I am really looking forward to going racing again."

Jorge Lorenzo was also in need of a rest after picking up the latest in a string of injuries at Laguna, where a first lap crash left him nursing three broken metatarsals in his left foot. However, intense physiotherapy during the well-timed summer break sees him nearing full fitness as he returns to action at a circuit where he has taken 250cc victory from pole position for the last two seasons, in addition to a 125cc win back in 2004.

"I am going to Brno with a high hopes and above all trying not to think about the disappointment of Laguna Seca; it's behind me now," orenzo said. "In the USA I was fast once again and I hope that I can carry on like this in the Czech Republic. I know that I can. Brno is a circuit that I like a lot, it's one of my favourites.

"Physically I feel very good after the crash and the injuries, I definitely feel as good as could be expected. It's the first time this season that I've really had proper time to recover, thanks to the holidays, so I think I am in good shape. At the moment I am still using my crutches to walk but I have been able to do some training and I know that I won't have a problem when I arrive in Brno on Thursday."

Whilst the riders have taken a well-earned rest, engineers at Yamaha's factory headquarters in Japan have been working around the clock over the summer towards this weekend's race, as well as for the two-day test that will take place afterwards.

The well-balanced nature of the Brno circuit make it an ideal testing venue, with its winding chicanes and dramatic elevation changes retaining much of the character of the original road circuit, which wanders its way through the surrounding forests.