Rossi says Assen win vital for title

The Fiat Yamaha rider has revealed that he headed into last weekend's race at Assen fearing for his title chances after a disastrous qualifying session in the wet.

In the end, Rossi powered through the field from 11th to beat Stoner and reignite the MotoGP championship battle.

"To win at Assen, the university of motorcycling, is always very emotional," Rossi was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "But this victory is more important because of the moment in which I got it.

"On Friday, in the wet, it was a disaster. I struggled to sleep: if Stoner had won again he would have had led by six victories to two, and to win the championship would have become unrealistic for me."

Rossi believes that the fight between himself and Stoner is now pretty even. When asked whether he believed Stoner was beatable: "He has shown he is. For the morale this win is extremely important. Now, as victories are concerned, we are five to three. The battle is completely open."

Although Rossi has welcomed the progress made by Yamaha and Michelin in Holland, he still thinks improvements need to be made to his bike's top speed, and also in terms of his team's wet weather pace.

"That's a big handicap," he said about the wet. "In such a tight championship we can't afford it. We must close the gap."

And looking forward to the next race in Germany, Rossi said: "It's not a track I love but I won there last year, so I'll go for it. Stoner will be super quick. It will be a big battle, and I'll do it with the bit between my teeth."