Valentino Rossi makes title race claim: MotoGP legend is excited about this

Nine-time World Champion Rossi suffered a nightmare time in Japan over the weekend, falling in qualifying and on race day.

The Italian great is currently in fifth in the standings with Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez battling it out at the top.

Dovizioso pipped Marquez to victory in a dramatic race in Motegi to cut the Spaniard’s championship lead to 11 points.

The MotoGP calendar moves on to Phillip Island, Australia this weekend and Rossi is excited to see how the title race unfolds during the final three races.

“It was a great battle, very good for the sport”

Valentino Rossi

The 38-year-old said: “It was a great battle, very good for the sport that the two opponents are the strongest now and they can fight very hard.

“It was a great race. It’s a great victory for Dovizioso and maybe the [championship] fight can arrive [this season’s final race] in Valencia.

“In Aragon Marquez was a lot faster than Dovizioso, but this time Dovizioso won, his fifth of the championship.

“Now he’s just 11 points [behind Marquez], not so far.”

Rossi is still continuing his return from a double leg fracture and endured a difficult time in Japan, coming off his bike twice.

He said: “It was big crash this time. Also yesterday [Saturday], but today more.

“I was behind [Aleix] Espargaro and tried to not give up, because I could keep his pace. But on the left I had zero grip. I was like on ice.

“It was very fast. When I realised, I was already flying. Very lucky that the leg is ok. I have pain everywhere, but not a lot."

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