Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha MotoGP boss Lin Jarvis is convinced The Doctor is riding as well as he ever has and continues to be amazed by the 36-year-old’s drive and ambition.

Jarvis is expecting this year’s title to fight to go down to the wire at Valencia with both Rossi and Movistar team-mate Jorge Lorenzo at it tooth and nail from this weekend’s Silverstone round onwards but he doesn’t see that one has the edge just yet.

“To see him come back after effectively five years of defeat, with his last championship win back in 2009, is incredible. To be leading the championship up until the last race, its quite phenomenal for somebody of 36 against these younger riders who has been through a period of difficulty for several years. This season he is riding exceptionally well, eleven podiums, plus the four at the end of last season, so his consistency is excellent,” said Jarvis.

“His motivation is huge, his attention to detail is still the same, and for me personally he is riding as good as he ever has in the past. The way he has been able to adapt his style over the years is incredible, there are very few riders, racers, pilots, skiers, any sportsman that are able to make that significant change to adapt themselves to a new style, to a new requirement at the latter stages of their career. I think that’s the phenomenal thing and that shows his passion.”