Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi will celebrate his 300th grand prix start this weekend at Mugello, his first home appearance of the 2014 MotoGP season.

Rossi, 35, prepares to entertain his home fans in good form having been at the sharp end of recent races and taking a well earned second on the podium at the last round in France at Le Mans.

The local hero remains the only rider ever to take seven straight wins at his home race, scoring consecutive premier class victories at Mugello from 2002 to 2008. Prior to this he also has a 125cc win in 1997 and a 250cc win in 1999. He will be determined to forget last year’s unfortunate DNF after being taken out on the first lap.

“I am very happy to go to Mugello,” Rossi said. “This is a beautiful track and I like it so much. This is one of my favourite weekend’s of the season! For this reason I will try to give my best. There are always 25 points as the other races, but Mugello is a matter of honour.

“Jorge has won the last three years on the Yamaha, doing fantastic races, and this means that the M1 is very competitive on this track. It will be my 300th GP this weekend and for that I am not very happy because it means that I’m old but I’m happy because I am in good shape and I can still be very fast!”

Rossi is currently third in the standings, two points from Dani Pedrosa in second following a pair of consecutive runner-up finishes at Jerez and Le Mans.