Rossi looks for winning Donington farewell

Valentino Rossi hopes to bid a winning farewell to Donington Park on Sunday, as the world championship is staged at the famous English track for the final time.

But world champion Rossi, who has a 14-point lead in the 2009 title race, needs to be aware of the dangers of teammate Jorge Lorenzo and 2007 world champion Casey Stoner who is eyeing a third successive win here on his Ducati.

Rossi, who won his fourth race of the season at Sachsenring last weekend, won his first career race at the elite level here in 2000, but hasn't triumphed at Donington since 2005.

The eight-time world champion said: "Last year I had a good race at Donington to finish second. I've always said that Donington is one of my favourite tracks - it's fast and flowing but also technical - and also the UK is a very special place for me because for a long time it was my home."

From next year, the British MotoGP Grand Prix switches to Silverstone while Donington welcomes the British Formula One Grand Prix.

Rossi admitted it will be tough to say goodbye to the circuit.

"This is the last year we are going to race here which I am really sad about, but that makes me even more determined to try to win, for me and for the fans who have always treated me like one of their own," added Yamaha rider Rossi, who has eight wins in all categories here.

"I haven't won here since 2005, which is too long and I would like to say 'goodbye' to the track in the best way."

Rossi (30) is in fine form having captured three of the last four races in the 2009 world championship and has broken through the 100-win barrier.

Lorenzo is 14 points behind Rossi with Stoner 28 points off the pace.

The Australian is still trying to shake off a mystery virus which has left him suffering chronic fatigue and comes into the race having finished fourth in Germany having led for ten laps.

"We did the best job we could at Sachsenring and now I'm a bit more confident about going to Donington," said the 23-year-old Australian.

"The best thing for us would be to have similar weather and temperature as in Germany because I think the conditions there played into my hands, as did the circuit, which has some long corners where I was able to relax a little on the bike.

"I'll be happy if we can have another weekend in similar temperatures at Donington. The track has never been one of my favourites but I have had good results there."