Italian motorcycling star Loris Capirossi is poised for what could be his last chance to win the MotoGP crown he has been chasing for four years with Ducati.
Capirossi, who will be 34 in a few months, is one of the oldest riders on the MotoGP circuit and after 17 seasons in the sport he has all the experience he needs to bring Ducati its first MotoGP world championship.
He's convinced his chances are better this year than ever before.
"I'm in good shape, I'm as determined as hell and I'm ready to give it everything," he said at the recent presentation of the new Ducati MotoGP bike, the Desmosedici GP07.
"I can't wait to get back on the track and start chasing the goal I've had for a few years now. I feel I have what it takes".
Last year Capirossi was a contender for the title for much of the season but a bad fall in Catalunya hampered his chances and in the end he took third place. That was still his best result ever in the top flight.
The Bologna-born rider is one of three Italians currently in the upper echelons on MotoGP racing. But he has a special place in many Italian hearts because he is the only one to be riding for an Italian team.
Valentino Rossi, winner of five consecutive titles in the top class, rides for Yamaha and Marco Melandri, starting his third MotoGP season, rides for Honda.
Capirossi is much older than both of them but he laughs when people suggest he might be getting too old for the thrills and spills of competitive motorcycling.
"They tell me I'm the dinosaur of MotoGP. But you can be sure of one thing: I still feel at home on the bike and I get great fun out of riding". Before moving up to MotoGP, Capirossi won two world titles in the 125cc class and one in the 250cc class.
The 2007 MotoGP season will kick off with an official test February 25 in Jerez, Spain, while the first race will be the Qatar Grand Prix on March 10. MotoGP teams and riders are currently carrying out tests in Sepang, where everyone is trying to get used to the new 800cc bikes. The tests appeared to show that no one team had a clear advantage over the others with the new 800cc bikes.
This could mean that experience will be a crucial factor in 2007.
