Rossi relishing Donington prospect

Rossi, a five-time British Grand Prix winner, says besides the emotional ties connected to the event for him, the track presents one of the greatest challenges on the calendar.

"This circuit is incredible," he said. "The first bend for me is one of the bends - like those at Mugello or Barcelona. It is very fast, technical, it is very difficult with the braking point and getting the right line down the hill.

"I like this circuit a lot. I have a lot of great memories, especially the first victory here in 500s, in the wet with a great battle with Jeremy McWilliams. Since then a lot of other victories, some problems. I have bad memories from last year because it was a difficult grand prix and just fourth place and not going on the podium.

"Here the podium is always a great emotion because there is a great crowd so we try to get back on the podium for sure.

The Yamaha rider says his target for the weekend is to maintain his lead in the championship, which currently stands at seven points over Honda rival Dani Pedrosa.

"For sure, we arrive here at the top of the championship so this is the main target, we try to continue to stay in the points," he said. "It is important for the championship and we also have to wait for the weather conditions, last year lot of water, low temperatures, difficult conditions and we hope this year is better."

Rossi also stated that he is closer than ever to signing a new contract with Yamaha that will extend his tenure with the team until the end of 2010.

"I think we are very close to signing because we speak about small things and we are ready maybe after Laguna Seca, before the summer break," he said. "Anyway it is not a big issue. We are agreeing with Yamaha, so close to signing the contract."