British MotoGP: Kevin Schwantz backs Valentino Rossi for title

American Kevin Schwantz believes Valentino Rossi’s experience will be vital as the Italian chases a ninth world title in 2009.

Rossi is currently locked in an enthralling title fight with Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and factory Ducati rider Casey Stoner. The 30-year-old goes into this weekend’s British GP at Donington Park looking for a first win at the Leicestershire track since 2005 to increase his slender 14-point lead over Lorenzo in the series.

But Texan Schwantz believes Rossi’s vast experience will prove crucial in the title fight, and he also believes that Yamaha’s dominant YZR-M1 will be a stronger package than Stoner’s Ducati GP9 machine.

The 1993 world 500cc champion, who won four races at Donington Park, told MCN: “I still think in the second half of the season we’ll see the experience come to the forefront. I still think Rossi’s the guy to beat for the championship.

“I think Yamaha has found something that definitely has them technologically advanced over everybody else. I think Yamaha looks like it’s the bike to beat and I definitely think Lorenzo right now is a little bit stronger than Stoner on the Ducati.”

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