Source: Supplied.

The 2016 MotoGP World Championship will provide Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi another shot at becoming a 10-time world champion when it begins in Qatar this weekend.

After finishing runner-up last season, Rossi is also looking forward to riding at the Losail circuit and plans on making a strong entrance to the season like last year when he secured a brilliant and hard-fought victory.

“Finally we start talking about racing!” Rossi said. “I’m very glad that a new season begins. Our tests were definitely positive, but the race is another thing. During testing we’ve learned a lot about the new tyres and electronics, but there are many other things to discover and this first race will be really important to understand the real potential of the bikes and the riders.

“Last season for me began very well. I don’t know if I will be able to repeat that result but I will try to get on the podium for sure. It will be important to start to work well from the first sessions and get ready and have clear ideas going into the race. I feel ready and motivated and so does the team, so let’s go!”

The Doctor gained comfort with the new Michelin tyres and electronics during the winter testing, confident his hard work will pay off as he aims to further improve his already great record of four wins in 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2015 and four second places in 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2014 in Qatar.