Rossi aims to be “back on good form” at Indy

The reigning World Champion hopes that the steps taken at the Brno test last week can help him to make a return to the podium this weekend.

Valentino Rossi returns to the scene of one of his previous 78 premier class wins this weekend as the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix serves up the next chapter in the 2010 World Championship.

The Fiat Yamaha rider won at the Brickyard in its inaugural MotoGP race in the 2008, an event affected by the Hurricane Ike, but then suffered his only DNF of last season at the U.S. circuit in a reverse of the fortunes.

Now, after a fifth-placed finish at Brno in the previous round, Rossi is determined to get back on the podium as he targets a strong finish to the campaign and an improvement on his current Championship position of fifth in the standings.

“Brno was disappointing but the test helped us to understand what went wrong and so we are hopeful that we can be back on good form in Indy,” said Rossi, who is chasing a second victory of the season after his first-round win in Qatar and subsequent injury troubles.

"Indianapolis is a special place, an amazing track and as always it's fun to race in America. I have great memories from the 2008 when I won in the hurricane, even if it's not something I want to repeat! This year we arrive in a different situation to last year, fifth in the Championship and not at 100% in physical condition, but I am feeling stronger all the time,” added the 31 year-old.

The Italian’s Team Manager Davide Brivio is also expectant after the progress made in the Brno test. He said: “The test after Brno was useful and we hope to be in good shape this weekend. It's always a pleasure to go racing in such an amazing place and we just need to keep working to put Valentino in the best possible position to start fighting for the victories again as soon as possible."