Rossi predicts season-long title fight

By Jamie O'Leary and Pablo Elizalde

Monday, May 4th 2009, 16:16 GMT

MotoGP championship leader Valentino Rossi is predicting a tough, season-long battle to retain his crown.

The Italian scored his first win of the 2009 season at the Spanish Grand Prix last Sunday, moving to the top of the standings.

Rossi was the third winner, and the third championship leader, in as many races, with Ducati's Casey Stoner and Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo having been on top earlier on.

"In three races we have had three different leaders in the championship: Casey, Jorge and me," said Rossi. "So we need to stay concentrated at the maximum and make no mistakes.

"We have to try to win when it's possible and try to arrive on the podium anyway when we have problems. I have already 65 points. I'm in front of Casey, who I think is the most difficult rival. But also Pedrosa and Lorenzo are not far away either.

"I think it will be very tough to the end. Le Mans is very different to Jerez, but I have good memories because in all history Yamaha has been very fast at Le Mans. Last year I was very fast."

The seven-time champion now leads Stoner by nine points, with Lorenzo and Honda's Dani Pedrosa on 41.

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