Highlights

Injured Rossi desperate for podium return

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-29 20:33

LONDON, June 29 - Injured MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi needs all the help he can get in Britain this weekend in an increasingly desperate battle to defend his title from American Nicky Hayden.

Honda's Hayden has a 46 point advantage over the Italian after winning the Dutch TT at Assen last weekend while Rossi gritted his teeth to take eighth place with broken bones in his right hand and ankle.

Donington Park is a favourite track for Rossi, who has won five times there in the top category including the last two years with Yamaha, but the Italian is clearly worried at the season's halfway stage.

He can see his crown slipping away and victory in Sunday's race will be a tall order even for a rider of his genius, given his state of fitness.

Rossi is also well aware that his Kentucky-born 24-year-old rival is dangerously consistent with 10 podium finishes from the last 11 races.

Hayden leads the championship on 144 points thanks to his first win of the year, 42 clear of team mate Dani Pedrosa, with Ducati's Loris Capirossi third on 100 and Rossi fourth on 98 alongside compatriot Marco Melandri.

"It's going to be a big challenge for me to stand on the top of the podium on Sunday," Rossi conceded.

"But as long as my hand continues to improve throughout the week, then I think we can try."

REDUCED SWELLING

The British-based rider has been receiving treatment all week to recover as much strength as possible in the hand he injured when he fell in the first practice session at Assen.

"We have a lot of work to do to improve the situation with my wrist and try to reduce the swelling and heal the bone as much as possible," he said in a team preview.