With just three rounds now to stand in the way of a potentially historic MotoGP title win for Valentino Rossi, he insists he is approaching the race-by-race. Valentino Rossi insists he is not calculating what he can do to protect his MotoGP World Championship advantage over Jorge Lorenzo, despite coming into the final three rounds with a comfortable 18 point lead.

The Italian remained on course for his first MotoGP title since 2009 with a measured drive to second place in the Japanese Grand Prix, crucially just ahead of third place Lorenzo.

With Yamaha now confirmed as the riders’ champions for 2015, Rossi is looking forward to getting back to an iconic MotoGP venue at Phillip Island for the Australian MotoGP event – where he was a winner last season -, he maintains he is not focusing on the temptation to settle for points if necessary.

“We hope for a good weekend like last year and we will try to ride a good race to arrive on the podium, in front of Jorge. I think it’s best to take the championship race by race, focus on Phillip Island and try to make the most of it.

“Phillip Island is a very particular track. I like it, as does the majority of the rider, but it’s always difficult to find the right setting and the conditions are often tricky with lots of wind and cold temperatures. “