Slumbering giant Rossi ready to roar again

PARIS (AFP) –

Italian Valentino Rossi at a press conference in Valencia on November 8, 2012. Rossi, reduced to playing the role of MotoGP’s sleeping giant during his disastrous spell at Ducati, is eager to emerge out of his enforced slumber in 2013 after returning ‘home’ to Yamaha. Rossi had a paltry three podium places to show for his ill-fated two seasons at Ducati.

Valentino Rossi, reduced to playing the role of MotoGP’s sleeping giant during his disastrous spell at Ducati, is eager to emerge out of his enforced slumber in 2013 after returning ‘home’ to Yamaha.

Rossi, who had a paltry three podium places to show for his ill-fated two seasons at Ducati, is teaming up again with Jorge Lorenzo in what promises to be a fascinating not to say sparky partnership.

While the effervescent Italian, who won four of his seven MotoGP titles with Yamaha, now finds himself in the unusual position of having something to prove, Lorenzo approaches 2013 as a double world champion.

The likeable Spaniard prevailed in his gripping season-long tussle with Dani Pedrosa, claiming the title in the penultimate race in Australia after his Honda rival crashed out.

Despite missing out on the crown Pedrosa closed his own campaign on a high note with victory in the season-finale in Valencia with this time Lorenzo coming a cropper, in spectacular fashion.

Pedrosa’s 45th win of his career pushed him up to 332 points, 18 shy of Lorenzo.

Moto GP world champion Jorge Lorenzo waves to the crowd from a balcony in Palma de Mallorca during a parade on November 19, 2012. Lorenzo approaches 2013 as a double world champion. The likeable Spaniard prevailed in his gripping season-long tussle with Dani Pedrosa, claiming the title in the penultimate race in Australia after his Honda rival crashed out.

In third in Valencia came the outgoing champion Casey Stoner in his last ever race before retirement.

The Australian’s Honda team marked the occasion by hanging a sign over the track wall on which was written “Going fishing”.

Stoner, highly critical of Rossi’s move back to Yamaha, dismounted from his bike and declared: “It’s fantastic to end (my career) this way, a big thanks to everyone, to my supporters all these years, there are a lot worse ways to go out.”

Lorenzo for his part claimed his title achievement had left him liberated.

“It’s been a big emotion because this year has been tougher than my first world title (2010) because I knew my competitors were stronger and more constant this year, and I knew I had to be more constant than them,” he said.

“When I first came into MotoGP I needed to learn from my mistakes, know my limits and try not to go over the limit, so for this reason I am very proud of my evolution.

“I feel emotional for the toughness and the hard competition. I needed to be strong and really focused. For this reason I now feel liberated of the weight off my shoulders.”

Honda’s Australian rider Casey Stoner salutes the crowd after the Valencia Grand Prix on November 11, 2012. It was Stoner’s last race before retirement. Honda marked the occasion by hanging a sign over the track wall on which was written “Going fishing”.

It’s probably just as well Stoner is not around in 2013 given the way he castigated Rossi’s dismal time at Ducati, accusing the Italian of “jumping ship”.

As for Rossi, the move is set to inject fresh life into his faltering fortunes.

“It’s a return for me, and the feeling was like having never been away,” said Rossi.

Reflecting on his ill-fated spell with Ducati, Rossi told BBC Sport: “It was a dream, it was a great and important bet to try and win for Ducati but unfortunately we have no way. It has been two very difficult seasons.

“We try lots of things but we were never able to fix the problems. We had some good races and a few good results but not what everyone expects. We lose the bet.”

Of his prospects for 2013, the 33-year-old added: “I am at a certain age and I don’t know how many years I will continue in MotoGP, so I have to race with the best bike that I can.

“Fortunately during my career I have won more or less everything so I need to enjoy it to have the right motivation.

“I need to arrive at the circuit every weekend with the chance to fight for the victory. It will be difficult but that is why I change teams.”

If Rossi can reignite his old sparkle Lorenzo and co are in for a dogged battle next year.