Le Mans MotoGP: Valentino Rossi not distracted by 100th win

Valentino Rossi has told MCN he will not let the prospect of being able to record his 100th Grand Prix victory at his home race in Mugello distract him from this weekend’s Le Mans clash in France.

If the 30-year-old wins Sunday’s 28-lap race then he will sit on 99 Grand Prix victories heading to his home race in Mugello on May 31.

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But with the possibility of being able to reach the century of wins in front of his massive home support in Mugello, Rossi said his prime focus was on winning Sunday’s French GP to increase his world championship lead over Ducati rival Casey Stoner.

The Fiat Yamaha rider, who won his first race of 2009 in Jerez earlier this month, told MCN: “It’s a great idea to try and do this (win his 100th race in Mugello).

“It is great news that I can maybe try and do this. We have to think of 99 victories first though.

“My target is to try and win the championship but it is possible because our bike is always fast in Le Mans and the Bridgestone tyres are working well.

“We have all the conditions to try and win here before we can start to think about Mugello.

“This is completely another weekend but we will try for sure.”