MotoGP: Valentino Rossi ends tax saga

Valentino Rossi will start the 2008 season without the added distraction of an on-going tax investigation hanging over his head after the Yamaha rider finally reached a settlement with Italian authorities.

The 28-year-old has had the multi-million tax investigation to contend with for the last seven months, but this week Valentino Rossi agreed to pay just over £26m in a settlement with Italy’s tax agency.

Rossi has also decided to quit his London home and move back to Italy following the tax controversy, which saw him split from long-term manager Gibo Badioli and his Great White London Management Company.

Valentino Rossi is still searching for a new manager.

The seven-times world champion resumes his 2008 pre-season preparations in Jerez this weekend, with a three-day session getting underway on Saturday, February 16, 2008.