Rossi confirmed at Yamaha for 2006.

In a move long predicted, Yamaha Motor Co. and Valentino Rossi have officially announced that the Italian will stay with Yamaha for the 2006 MotoGP World Championship season.

Rossi won the 2004 MotoGP World Championship with Yamaha and is currently competing in his second season with the Japanese manufacturer's factory team. The 26-year-old leads the 2005 MotoGP World Championship by 120 points, following his 8th victory at last weekend's German Grand Prix.

"I am so happy to be able to announce the continuation of my relationship with Yamaha," commented Rossi. "Last year was magic, to win my first race with Yamaha, and then to win the championship. I have a fantastic relationship with this factory and my team crew, who have worked so hard to make the M1 as competitive as it is now, and it just made sense to stay with Yamaha for another year."

"Since we announced the signing of Valentino Rossi at the end of 2003 we had an astonishing first year with him, and are now enjoying great success again in 2005," stated Mr Lin Jarvis, managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing. "This year is the 50th anniversary for Yamaha and is therefore a very special year for us.

"We hope our MotoGP efforts will culminate in a second world title for Valentino with Yamaha. We are obviously very happy to have Valentino with us for another year and to keep him with MotoGP in 2006. The partnership with Valentino is the key point that will now allow us to proceed with our total MotoGP strategy for 2006," he added.

While Rossi staying at Yamaha next season is of little surprise - he has said he intended to do so since late 2004 - it remains to be seen what the #46 will decide to do after that. Rumours earlier in the year suggested a Formula One move, but that is looking ever less likely - with Rossi declaring an interest in riding when the new 800cc engine rules come into effect from 2007.

However, the six-times world champion wouldn't rule out a team change should he stay in MotoGP beyond 2006 and has also expressed an interest in rallying...