16:54:15

Rossi chases record points haul in Britain

LONDON: Valentino Rossi returns to a favourite circuit this weekend for a British Grand Prix that should crown him the all-time leading points scorer in motorcycling's top class.

The Italian needs just nine points to overtake Mick Doohan's haul of 2,298 but he will want the full 25 at Donington Park on Sunday to reel in Casey Stoner, the youngster who could be Australia's next champion.

Ducati's Stoner has a 14-point lead after seven rounds, the 21-year-old seizing his fourth win of the MotoGP season at the last race in Barcelona after holding off a charging Rossi to the chequered flag in a thrilling battle.

The Australian has now won more races in a single season for Ducati than any other rider.

Honda's Dani Pedrosa, dominant at Donington last year from pole position, also promises to be a threat as the little Spaniard seeks to end a 15-race winless streak dating back to that triumph.

Pedrosa is third in the overall standings but now 42 points behind Stoner.

聯Donington is always like my second home race,聰 seven-time world champion Rossi, who has a home in London, said in a Yamaha team preview.

聯It's one of my favourite racetracks in the world and I've had some fantastic victories there in the past, including my first ever 500cc win back in 2000.

聯Even though it hasn't been one of his best tracks in the past, I am expecting Casey to be strong again and Dani won last year so we can expect him to be fighting too,聰 added the charismatic Italian.

Rossi, who broke Doohan's record for career podiums at the last race with his 96th appearance in the top three, has won seven times at Donington in all categories.

With many riders expecting a wet weekend at the East Midlands circuit, Australian Chris Vermeulen could also have a good chance of becoming Suzuki's first winner at Donington since Kevin Schwantz in 1994.

Vermeulen, who qualified second at Donington last year, took his first win in France in May when the heavens opened.

In the 250cc category, champion Jorge Lorenzo of Spain is the man to beat with a 36-point lead over Italian Andrea Dovizioso after five wins.

Hungarian Gabor Talmacsi leads the 125cc standings for Aprilia, 13 clear of Spaniard Hector Faubel.

Sunday's race is the first of three in a row in northern Europe, with the Dutch round the following Saturday and then Germany two weeks later.