 Rossi will not be waving goodbye to Yamaha this season |
Former MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has played down speculation he is close to leaving Yamaha and insists he will be more competitive this year. The Italian finished third last season behind champion Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa and had hinted of a possible move to rivals Ducati.
"My dream is to end my career with Yamaha," the 28-year-old said.
"If we've a competitive bike it's possible to continue to the end. I hope I'll be riding for many years to come."
Rossi's finish outside the top two for the first time in since his rookie season in 1996 led him to hint at a move to Ducati last year.
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But Rossi insists he is focusing on the new season with Yamaha.
"This is a very important year as we've got to try to be competitive again. I think we have great potential. We should've learnt from last year's mistakes."
Rossi will be fit for the first race in Qatar on 9 March despite breaking bones in his right hand in a crash in qualifying for November's season-ending Valencia Grand Prix.
He added: "My hand is not too bad, I had it X-rayed as the little finger still hurts. There is a ligament that is not quite right, but it shouldn't bother me riding the bike."
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