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Rossi chasing sixth straight win at Phakisa
( 2002-04-19 09:48 ) (7 )

World champion Valentino Rossi is hoping his four-stroke Honda will give him the same edge in the dry at Sunday's South African Grand Prix as he had in the wet at Suzuka two weeks ago.

A fortnight ago Rossi earned a tough victory in difficult wet conditions in Japan to take the early lead in the MotoGP world championship standings.

Rossi won the corresponding race last year on a two-stroke 500cc machine at the dusty 2.636 mile Phakisa Freeway circuit 12 months after making his 500cc debut at the same track.

But with the introduction of the new MotoGP class in 2002, the 23-year-old Italian will be on the back of his 990cc four-stroke Honda for only the second race.

"It is going to be difficult on this track with the new bike," Rossi said. "We haven't had a chance to test it here but usually a new bike gets quicker here as the weekend goes on.

"I hope the weather stays dry and warm because last year's race was incredible. I think there are four or five riders who could win on this circuit."

Rossi will also be looking to continue a remarkable winning sequence of five consecutive grands prix stretching back to Motegi last year.

The Italian will be chased by 2000 world champion Kenny Roberts and his team mate Sete Gibernau, who both looked impressive at Suzuka.

The pair, on four-stroke Suzukis, ran well in Japan before crashing out in the trying conditions.

Yamaha riders Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi, second in the championship behind Rossi last year and a winner at Welkom in 1998, will be out to improve after contrasting showings in Japan.

Checa picked up third, while Biaggi failed to complete the race on the new four-stroke YZR-M1, sliding off in mid-race.

The Phakisa circuit should give the two-strokes a better chance of winning with its tighter corners and greater emphasis on handling and cornering.

Italian Loris Capirossi on the West Pons Honda will lead the challenge of the two-strokes.

He was second on the grid in Japan and finished as runner-up to Rossi at Phakisa in 2001.

"This year the situation between the bikes is different," Capirossi said. "But the difference between the two and four strokes should not be too big at Phakisa.

"I really like the circuit and this race is very important to me because this is one of my favourite tracks."

In the 250cc class Japan's wildcard Miyazaki Osamu on a Yamaha who won in Japan, will not be in Welkom leaving Aprilia's Marco Melandri, who failed to finish at Suzuka, as the pre-race favourite at Phakisa.

The 125cc class Frenchman Arnaud Vincent on an Aprilia proved to quick in the wet of Japan, winning well, but finished fifth in Welkom last year.

He will be under pressure from reigning world champion Manuel Poggiali on a Gilera and Japan's Youichi Ui (Derbi), who won in Welkom in 2001.