Motegi MotoGP: Loris Capirossi goes for Motegi hat-trick

Italian Loris Capirossi has said he is confident of putting a nightmare 2007 season behind as he goes in search of a third successive victory at the Japanese MotoGP.

The 34-year-old has won the last two races in the Twin Ring Motegi for Ducati and Bridgestone, but will start Sunday’s 24-lap race at long odds to extend his success in the backyard of Honda.

Loris Capirossi has struggled all season to make any impact on the Ducati GP7 800 machine and has been completely overshadowed by the startling performance of team-mate Casey Stoner.

While Loris Capirossi has scored just two podiums, his Ducati teammate Casey Stoner has won eight races and stands on the brink of his first world title.

But Loris Capirossi said: “In the past this has been a really special track for me. I won the last two races in Motegi but this season it has been completely different.

“Anyway I have a good feeling for the track because after the race last year we tested the 800 and it was working quite good.”

The triple world champion also said he would be giving his utmost to bow out at Ducati in style, with him clinching a move to Suzuki’s factory squad in 2008.

“I will try and do my best to finish in the best way I can for Ducati. It’s been really difficult.

“I have always been struggling a lot but I continue to believe a lot in my feeling and myself, and this is the most important thing for a rider.

“I want to see what happens in the last couple of races and for sure after November I switch off this year and start to work on next year,” added Capirossi.