Italian motorcycling hero Valentino Rossi indicated on Thursday that he will pay up without a fight if a probe into suspected tax evasion worth millions of euros goes against him.
It emerged earlier this month that the seven-time world champion is being investigated by the Italian tax office over possible undeclared earnings of 60 million euros for the period 2000-2004.
"I think I've done everything according to the rules and that my collaborators have done their best for me while respecting the rules," Rossi told reporters at Misano, where Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix is to be held.
"After this check it will become clear whether they have made mistakes, but in any case I will shoulder my responsibilities," he said, answering questions on the tax wrangle for the first time.
The state is reportedly going after Rossi for a total of 112 million euros. This figure comprises 43.7 million euros of unpaid tax as well as fines and interest that almost triple the amount he owes Italy.
Rossi denied any wrongdoing in a taped message sent to the media soon after news of the tax probe emerged. He claimed that he was caught in the middle of a legal dispute between Britain and Italy.
The tax office investigation is linked to Rossi's decision to take up British residency in 2000.
Rossi's London residency has enabled him to take advantage of favourable tax conditions, such as only declaring earnings made in Britain and avoiding taxes on his lucrative merchandising and sponsorship contracts, according to the tax office.
Italy's Junior Economy Minister Vincenzo Visco, who is spearheading a government crackdown on tax evasion, has said the British tax rules create a legal loophole. He has promised to challenge them through the European Union.
"A singular situation has been created in which it is enough, on the basis of British law, to create a more or less fictitious residency in London in order to avoid paying taxes in one's own country," he said.
Rossi, who rides for Yamaha, was probed for suspected tax evasion in 2002 but no evidence of wrongdoing was found and the case was shelved.
He is one of the world's highest paid sportsmen. Last year, he was reported to have earned 12 million euros from his Yamaha contract and 25 million from sponsorship and merchandising deals.
