With a 50-point lead going into the remaining six rounds of the season and visiting a circuit where history was made as the sole ever MotoGP victor last year, Valentino Rossi is positive and confident about Indianapolis, but never taking anything for granted.

As the year arrives to a conclusion, Rossi will move forward to show the focus and heart that has enabled him to six prior premier class titles, knowing if he lapses in any way, colleague Jorge Lorenzo will attempt to take advantage.

Rossi claimed a win in last season’s Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix in an event cursed by hurricane weather and he is read to enjoy racing at the historic US arena again this weekend. “2008 at Indy was something special because it was the first time we had been there and it is definitely the most famous racetrack in the world,” he says.

“We didn’t really know what to expect but our bike worked very well and we were fast from the start, in the wet and the dry,” adds Rossi. “Every year is a different story, however, so we won’t know where we are until we start our work on Friday afternoon. Last year I had a great win but, like everyone, I really hope that was the only hurricane we ever have to race in and that this time the conditions are more normal.”

On at the bigger picture, Rossi explains, “It would be stupid for us to relax and consider the championship won, anything can happen and we know that Lorenzo will be very strong this weekend and determined to make up for the last two races. We must keep focused.”