Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi is relishing this weekend's Silverstone MotoGP clash as it is a track where Yamaha has historically been in a position to win.

The Doctor rates the Northamptonshire former airfield as one of his top five favourite circuits as it's old school, fast, flowing and a 'pleasure' to ride.

“I love Silverstone, it’s in my top five of favourite tracks. I like it a lot because it’s an old-style track," said Rossi.

"It’s very long, riding a lap is like taking a trip from one place to another, and it’s technical – it has everything. When you’re fast, it’s a great pleasure to ride there. I have good memories of this circuit, but everything depends on the weather.

Riding at Silverstone in difficult weather is scary because you’re going so fast, so we’re hoping for similar weather to what we had in 2017, when we had a good weekend.

"To be fast here you need a good feeling and stability. Even in the hairpins you have fast points and there are also a lot of long turns, so it’s a track where usually Yamaha is fast.

"We hope for good weather because last year was a nightmare, so we hope that this year it will be a good weekend, also for the fans.”