Rossi targets Phillip Island crown

VALENTINO ROSSI is looking to add to his phemomenal record at Phillip Island in the Australian Grand Prix after last year's fall.

Prior to last year's DNF, he had not been off the podium at Phillip Island in over a decade.

Rossi said: 'Phillip Island is always a fantastic track, as it’s special and unique. It’s very fast and is near the ocean, which opens up in front of you after the main straightaway, and there are corners that are different from each other, with varying speeds and steepness. It’s a track that a rider has to love.'

Expectation of a good result is rising for this weekend's race, with speculation over bad weather meaning conditions could play into Rossi's hands. Rossi's podium at Le Mans in the year was achieved in the wet, and it has been suggested that such conditions allow him to overcome the power deficit he has experienced on the Ducati throughout the season.

Speaking on the subject, Rossi said: 'Racing a MotoGP bike there is a lot of fun, but it was a difficult weekend for us last year, so we’ll have to try very hard to do better. In addition, the forecasts show that there will be inclement weather, with rain and cold, so we’re expecting challenging conditions. We’ll really have to do our best.'

Rossi won five times at Phillip Island with previous team Yamaha - where he will return for the 2013 season.