Rossi to race with Yamaha until 2010

Yamaha announced on Friday night that they have signed a new two-year agreement with seven-time World Champion Valentino Rossi to continue with their Factory Racing team for the 2009 and 2010 MotoGP World Championships.

The 29-year-old Italian joined Yamaha in 2004 and since then he has won two World Championships, 32 races and taken 20 pole positions for the Japanese factory. He is currently leading the 2008 rider championship, having taken three wins and a further five podiums in the first ten races this year. Rossi will continue to race alongside Spanish youngster Jorge Lorenzo in 2009.

Rossi and Masao Furusawa, Executive Officer, Engineering Operations of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, signed the contract on Friday afternoon at the Laguna Seca circuit and made the public announcement at Yamaha US's traditional Laguna Seca party at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Friday evening.

Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis commented, `We are obviously delighted to have secured Valentino for a further two years. I think this news will be very welcome for MotoGP fans and for Yamaha fans around the world.´

`Valentino is an icon in this sport and he is on top form right now as he challenges to win his eighth world championship and his third title together with Yamaha. This signing confirms Yamaha's four-rider line-up for 2009 so now we can concentrate our full efforts on bike development and team organization to make sure that we are in the best possible shape for next year.´

Valentino Rossi added, `After so many years spent in racing, fortunately with so many victories, I needed a special motivation to take the decision to sign for two more years. The best place to find this motivation is Yamaha, since I have a great relationship with their directors, which comes from a mutual trust and loyalty. In our team there is a special atmosphere and with this new deal I can continue to work with my crew, where I am part of the project and part of the development of my M1.´

`I had other opportunities but due to Yamaha´s efforts to give me the best bike in the best environment, I have decided to stay with Yamaha for two more years. This contract means that Yamaha is the manufacturer I will have spent most of my career with. This means more than a thousand words.´

Press release courtesy of Yamaha Racing

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Without Fabregas? No Problem

London - Arsenal have to lose Cesc Fabregas in the next couple of parties. Although must appear without the life of the game, but the Gunners ready to face the challenge.

Fabregas is Arsenal's most sharply with the packing 12 goals in all official parties. He also became the king of assists in the team "Warehouse bullet".

One proof of the importance of Fabregas could be seen in action against Aston Villa last weekend.

At that Arsenal have a deadlock. In the 57th minute, Arsene Wenger put Fabregas. The results from the Spanish players to pack two goals. But he only played 27 minutes and must be replaced because of injury.

Three weeks is the time required by Cesc for healing the injury. That means Arsenal will be without four players were numbered when his back against Portsmouth, Bolton, Everton, Bolton and back.

Arsenal ready to face the days without Fabregas? "Cesc is a very vital player for us, like Robin (van Persie). However, both injured and we had to fight without them," said Thomas Vermaelen as quoted from the official club website.

"I think we had another midfielder who could fill the void he left behind," he concluded.

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