Rio De Janeiro, Sept 18: Riders prepare for the Brazilian MotoGP. The MotoGP World Championship paddock moved to a samba beat in Brazil on Wednesday (September 17) as the teams and riders unpacked their crates and containers in readiness for the first of four 'flyaway' races at the Nelson Piquet circuit in Rio de Janeiro. Reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi of Italy, no stranger to the Rio party scene after winning two of his four world titles here, was already in festive mood as he arrived at the circuit with his hair dyed in the traditional green and gold colours of the Brazilian flag. The Italian, who won the Portuguese MotoGP two weeks ago from compatriots Max Biaggi and Loris Capirossi, extended his championship lead to 46 points over Spaniard Sete Gibernau who was fourth in Estoril. Rossi, who has won on his last five visits to this circuit in the three categories, recognises that this will be another key race in his career at what has unexpectedly become a talisman circuit for the Italian.

"I love this track, I made good races in the past and have won the World Championship here twice, once in 250 and last year in MotoGP," he said. "I came here for the first time in 1996 on a 125, and had one of the worst races of my career, crashing three times, also in the race on the first lap - I hated this track. Afterwards it became better, winning on the 125, 250 and 500. In 2000, I won my first 500 race in the dry conditions, it was a very important race for me because I changed my riding style and from that point I was always quite fast. We try to continue like this this year."


Brazilian rider Alex Barros confirmed he will be riding in front of his adoring home supporters, in spite of rumours that he would be ruled out with a shoulder injury. The veteran racer confirmed that he was not at full fitness, but was looking forward to a change of fortune this weekend.


"This is the first time here on a four-stroke and I hope to get some better results in the last races," he said. "I have been a little disappointed with the results but with my physical problems and the Yamaha not in its best moments yet. I hope some new parts arrived here can improve the machine's performance over the weekend."


Bureau Report