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Rossi Mourns Donington Park Scrap

Although he hasn't felt the winning taste at Donington Park for a while now – since 2005, to be more precise – reigning MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi admitted he is saddened by the loss of the British circuit.

Starting 2010, the MotoGP caravan will move from Leicestershire to Northamptonshire, as Silverstone will replace Donington Park in the series' schedule. And Rossi insisted that's a pity, because the latter was the perfect circuit for motorcycle racing.

The Italian rider's first win in MotoGP's premier class at Donington Park came in 2000, after which he scored 4 more wins in the next 5 years. This will be the last season Rossi will have the chance to return to victory at the Leicestershire track, before saying good bye.

I think it's a great pity that this is the last time, because this track is very suitable for motorcycles and it's always a great pleasure to ride the bike here. I have a lot of memories at this track. First victory with the 500cc, a lot of great battles with Loris (Capirossi) and with Marco (Melandri) in 2006 on the last lap,” said Rossi in a preview for the British Grand Prix this weekend.

In contradiction with Rossi's comments were Casey Stoner's who, despite his back-to-back wins at the British track in recent years, admitted he never liked this circuit.

From day one I don't think I've ever liked this track. We've never really enjoyed this circuit. I remember when I first came here the only part of the track I liked was the Esses down to the last two hairpins. That was about it, because you could back it in a little bit going in. The rest of the track, for me, was just a lot of hard work and not a lot of fun,” added Stoner.
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