Rossi close to signing two-year deal

The MotoGP championship leader is now in his fourth year with Yamaha after signing an extension for 2008 early last season and there has been speculation in recent weeks that the Italian is set to commit to the manufacturer for several more seasons.

"My ideas are the same as Yamaha, but we have to fix some small things so it's not official. We've not signed, but we are very close to signing a contract for two years.

"I am 29 now and I think I can stay at the top level until I am 31, so two years more. After that, I don't know, I won't decide yet. It depends on my performance especially, and on the performance of the bike and the results of this year and the next two."

When asked about how long he might go on for, Rossi said: "I think 35 is an age you can still ride at. (Troy) Bayliss is at the top of the championship at 38, and (Carlos) Checa is also very fast, but that's Superbikes.

"The motivation also makes a difference, and the physical strength and the amount of crashes, it's many things. A long career can also be a lot of stress and pressure, but I don't think I have this kind of problem."

Rossi is now second overall in the table of Grand Prix wins on 91 victories, with only Giacomo Agostini ahead on 122.