Victory in Sepang this weekend followed by success in the season’s final race in Valencia will take the Italian into double figures for the season.
But the Fiat Yamaha rider, who finished second last time out at the Australian GP in Phillip Island, is expecting another tough test from former world champion Casey Stoner.
The 29-year-old said: “We have two races left and I would really like to try to win them both, plus I also want to keep up Yamaha’s excellent podium record this season. I love Malaysia and I have had some great races there in the past, plus it generally suits our bike very well so with any luck we can look forward to a fun weekend.
"That said, we know that Casey will be very strong again as well as others so it will no doubt be a good battle!”
One advantage for Rossi in Malaysia this weekend will be previous knowledge of
Bridgestone tyres at the Sepang circuit.
He tested at the Far East venue twice back in January and February and he said that experience would be crucial.
“I am looking forward to going to Malaysia because we have done quite a bit of testing there with Bridgestone so we have a lot of data – not something we have had for most of this season.
"I was quite strong there in the winter and I hope it’s the same again this time, especially since we know a lot more about the tyres now, “added Rossi.
Plan to visit such exotic locales as Qatar, Barcelona Spain, Tokyo Japan, Phillip Island Australia, San Marino, Malaysia, and Mugello Italy. You’ll be following the MotoGP World Championship racers from one country to the next, and with admission and paddock pass should be able to say “Ciao!” to Vale, as his fans and friends know him, at each venue.
Italy's Valentino Rossi walks in the pit lane after he took the pole position during the MotoGP qualifying session of the Czech Republic Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Brno circuit in brno, Czech Republic, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. Rossi cools his left hand with an ice pack after he crashed during the qualifying. (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz)To begin your vacation in 2009, you’ll be picking up with the MotoGP racers in the U.S. at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix starting Friday, August 28th. From here, your itinerary will include:
