Valentino Rossi: Jerez one of the circuits I look forward to the most

Round four of the 2021 MotoGP championship takes place at the Circuito de Jerez this weekend, and for nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi, it remains the scene of his last podium. 

Rossi clinched his 199th Grand Prix podium at the Andalucian race in 2020 as he goes in search of an elusive 200th rostrum finish. 

It’s been a tough start to the season for Rossi following a crash last time out at Portimao, which leaves the Italian 19th in the championship standings.

But speaking ahead of this weekend, Rossi is excited about the prospect of racing at Jerez, which he says is ‘one of the circuits I most look forward to’. 

"I think Jerez is one of the circuits on the MotoGP calendar that I most look forward to racing every year, because I have some great memories from there," added Rossi.  

"In fact, last year I was on the podium in the second race of the season – the AndaluciaGP. 

"My pace during the race in Portugal last time out was quite good, we made some improvements, so we go into this fourth round of the year with more optimism than before.

"For sure, a lot of riders will be strong in Jerez, because we all know it very, very well, but we will try our best and see what we can do to return to the top positions where we have to be."

Yamaha go into this weekend looking for their fourth consecutive win to begin the season, which would mark the first time since 2014 that the same manufacturer (Honda) won the opening four races. 

It would be the first time that Yamaha themselves have achieved that milestone in the MotoGP era if it indeed comes to fruition.