Rossi wants to rule at Australian Grand Prix

Valentino Rossi hopes to crown a “special year” with his fourth world title in this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.

Rossi was an outsider to maintain his run of world titles after moving to the uncompetitive Gauloises Yamaha team over the winter but he has performed heroics to stand on the verge of a fourth consecutive crown.

The Italian will clinch the title if he finishes ahead of Telefonica Movistar Honda’s Sete Gibernau but is refusing to take another title for granted, especially after crashing out earlier this month in Qatar.