Whilst the Thursday before a Grand Prix is usually a somewhat quiet affair, with teams and riders slowly arriving at the circuit, Mugello as always does things a little differently. With the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice set for Sunday, there has already been some exciting news from the Italian Circuit. The big story of the day has of course been the official announcement from Yamaha that Valentino Rossi has made the decision to ride with them in MotoGP next season. After months of speculation and a statement from Rossi last week that he would not be leaving the World Championship, today’s news was welcomed by all involved in the series. Rossi could also have the pleasure of riding in two home Grands Prix in 2007, with the news that Misano Adriatico could hold a race next season subject to FIM approval. The agreement between Dorna and the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini will be for a duration of five years (2007-2011) and will see a long-term economic investment from all three public and private parties involved in the project. The local Borgo Panigale Ducati factory chose the perfect occasion of the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice to present their new production prototype. The Desmosedici RR is a replica model of the MotoGP 2006 transformed into a street bike. Invited guests were presented with all the details of the bike, scheduled to go on sale in June next year. It will be produced as a limited edition of 400 models. The presentation was held by Federico Minoli, managing director of Ducati Motor Holding, alongside Ducati Corse director Claudio Domenicale and MotoGP riders Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau alongside test rider Vittoriano Guareschi. As is customary at a MotoGP event, both a press conference and a pre-event local visit were also held. The former saw Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Marco Melandri, Dani Pedrosa and Loris Capirossi answering questions for the press, whilst the latter was a visit to the Basilica de la Santa Cruce attended by James Ellison, Mattia Pasini and Alex de Angelis. The paddock at the Mugello Circuit is already filled up with trucks, hospitality areas and motorhomes, at an event which always sees a spectacular attendance from some of the most passionate fans in the whole of motorsport. Unfortunately the Italian weather is proving more difficult to predict, and sunny spells have been interrupted by sharp heavy showers, with more predicted for tomorrow. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) “It was an important decision, one which I took my time over. I had the chance to drive the best race car in the world, the best machine in Formula 1, and understand my potential. Bikes are better for me to be at the top level. There are good riders and bikes. After the test here in November I really thought about going. I had a great test in Fiorano, about a second off the lap record, and that made the decision difficult. Then I went to Valencia and drove alongside the other drivers, experiencing the atmosphere and the media pressure, and then I decided. In the future I’m sure that I will do car racing, but maybe not Formula 1. I think that maybe if I was going to make the change then now would be the time. I have to win this weekend, it’s the number one event of the year and it feels like a win here serves as more than double the points. I need to close the gap, and after Le Mans the new chassis is good and very rideable. This is the key moment of the year.” Nicky Hayden (Honda) “I had a bout of Bronchitis in Le Mans, but it’s over now. No excuses here, I feel good and it’s one of the best tracks on the calendar. The fans are passionate and we all love being here. We’re right in the Italian riders’ backyard, they’ve put in a lot of laps here and it’s up to the rest of us to spoil it for them. The weather is iffy but we can’t help that, we’ll hope for dry weather tomorrow because we’ll need all the dry time we can get on the track. It’s still early to say how we’ll do, but we need to come back and answer the bell after having had problems in Le Mans. Rossi is tough, I’m glad that he is staying because then if you win a race you know that you have done so by beating the best. At times I wish that he would go, but it’s great for us riders and the series that he stays. If I was scared of him I’d have stayed in AMA.” Marco Melandri (Honda) “It will be a very hard weekend. I think that it is a must-win race for Valentino. The race last year was one of the best of my life, even though I didn’t manage to get on the podium. Riding against Loris for the third place was great, and a podium finish on Sunday would make me very happy. 45 minutes at 100% is tough here for all riders. I am happy that Valentino is staying. It means that we have one more chance to beat him next year if nobody manages it in 2006.” Loris Capirossi (Ducati) “Ducati are always fast here, but this year is a little different in the fact that we aren’t focusing on our top speed as much as overall performance and rideability. Last year was great, the all-Italian podium was a good moment. This year it might be different though, we have to wait and see what kind of weather we get. Le Mans wasn’t a good track for us, but here we are definitely in our element. Valentino staying makes me really happy. It always feels better when you win knowing that you have beaten the World Champion.” Dani Pedrosa (Honda) “I think that I have to learn quickly here like at every track. It is a question of getting used to the circuit and then starting to work. It’s not been too bad a start, I have made a few mistakes but because the riders are so strong here you have to fight for everything.”