Valentino Rossi: 'I love my life'

Valentino Rossi the oldest rider on the MotoGP grid, but he's also in contention for the world title in his 20th season of grand prix racing. 

“I am 36. I have a long career but I am in a good shape. So I don't feel that now I have a particular problem to bring the bike to 100% physically and mentally. So at that point what makes the difference is the motivation,” Rossi said. 

Why keep racing

“If you like to stay at home because it is enough and also don't risk and stay relaxed... But in my case I like very much the race. I love my life, also going around the world, Europe and especially working with Yamaha and my team. 

“It is just this and the taste of victory is always special. Something different. It is a pleasure to work to find that feeling.” 

Rossi victorious twice in the three races this season, putting world champion in the lead on points. The Italian credits the 2014 arrival of crew chief Silvano Galbusera as playing a key role. 

“I think it is very important because we work well on the bike and we have a good plan to improve practice by practice. Also in this moment I ride well, from 2013 to this year I've improved my skills and my riding style. And we work well in the box,” Rossi said. 

Looking to this weekend's fourth round at Jerez, The Doctor added: “I think that the tyres will also be very important because in Qatar and Argentina you can go fast also in the second half of the race, but at some other tracks like here usually the rear tyre drop more. So we have to work on the bike, try to avoid this problem and be more consistent.”