MotoGP news

Capirossi relishing 2007

Ducati rider Loris Capirossi says he has never been more motivated as the 2007 MotoGP season kicks off this weekend in Qatar. The 33-year-old veteran starts his 18th season in world championship motorcycling but still feels he has everything to fight for.

"You have to train well but mentally it's easy - I love riding," he told BBC Sport.

"This is one of the most important years for me. We have a new bike, a new project and we all think good things about this year."

Capirossi came third in the 2006 championship but feels that with a bit more luck this season he could do even better.

"2006 had some great moments for me but we had some unlucky things too," he said.

"I still finished third so I just want to think about 2007 and to try my best for this one."

With 800cc engines being introduced this season, Capirossi thinks that it is harder to predict who will come out on top. However, over time he believes that the best teams and riders will remain the same.

"I think the situation is changeable for 2007," he said.

"The level of competition is very strong - we will have a lot of different victors of single GP but when you're fighting for the title, we will be fighting with the same people."

Capirossi is joined by hot prospect Casey Stoner this year and the 21-year-old Australian is looking forward to teaming up with the Italian.

"Loris has always been great to me since I started GP, always asking how I was and how things were going, so it's really good to be matched up with him and learn from him as the season goes on," he said

"He's a great guy, really easy to talk to. We need to discuss things as we've developing a new bike so I think it's good we can communicate well and get this bike ready."

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