Of more immediate interest to Rossi is his 87 point lead over nearest title rival Stoner, who finished fourth on Sunday, which means The Doctor can win his sixth MotoGP title - and first since 2005 - by finishing fourth or higher next time out at Motegi.

"Now we have an 87-point advantage, and we have the first match point in Motegi in two weeks. In 2005, I have the match point in Motegi for the championship, but unfortunately I make a mistake and take out Melandri and we crash. So I have a bad memory of this," Rossi said. "But this time I am able to finish behind Stoner and lose 11 points. So it is important and also because we lose the championship last year in Motegi. So it is good, and we will try for sure."

Meanwhile, during Thurday's pre-event press conference, Rossi had backed up Colin Edwards' idea of the Indy MotoGP winner running naked along the main straight - but the closest Rossi actually got to publically disrobing was when he gave his jacket to a soaking wet podium girl.

"That idea was from Colin, I remember!" he smiled. "Then on Friday night they say to me maybe it's better for everybody that if I win my umbrella girl get naked on the straight instead..."