VALENCIA, Spain (AFP) - Yamaha team manager Davide Brivio has ordered world champion Valentino Rossi not to ease up at the Grand Prix of Valencia this weekend despite the Italian having already claimed his fourth successive world MotoGP title.
Rossi goes into the final race of the season seeking a ninth victory of the campaign while his teammate Carlos Checa makes his last appearance for Yamaha in front of his home crowd.
Both riders have an extra mission this weekend as they look to clinch the teams world championship ahead of the Honda pair Sete Gibernau and Colin Edwards.
"Valencia is a kind of special race for us," says Brivio. "Valentino is already the champion, but of course we will go there intending to win. It is good to go there and enjoy a race without thinking of the championship.
"I think the Yamaha can be good there, the bike might suit the track and we fully intend to enjoy the race, while still going for the best possible outcome. We want to leave with something to remember the fantastic season we have had.
"For Carlos this will be his last race with Yamaha and that is also important. I hope we can manage to conclude our relationship in the best possible way, with success on the track."
10/28/2004 - 15:39 GMT - AFP