Rossi: "My final race will be with Yamaha"

VALENTINO ROSSI has spoken for the first time about why he has chosen Yamaha over Ducati for next year.

The Italian said: "Although the bike could be tuned for me and it would be very interesting to go to Ducati, because I believe the bike could progress further, I am very happy on the Yamaha and believe now that I will have my final race there.

"I believe that Jorge Lorenzo has made the right decision to stay with Yamaha because at this moment it is the strongest bike. Next year we will have the hardest battle, it will be very difficult to beat him. Jorge is good for me in the races, he is young and works very hard. He has great motivation and that helps me to continue and push.

"Jorge is a rider always goes very fast but from time to time he makes errors, but that is normal for a rider to do that at this time in their career.

"Pedrosa is very strong too but at this moment Lorenzo is more on form and has more chances for a win. Dani will have to work very hard for winning."