Local ‘Valentino Rossi’ aiming for more speed

Nov 05, 2010 Sports

Currently placed second behind Canadian Kevin Graham, local champion Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira in an interview with Kaieteur Sport yesterday at his mechanic location on Forshaw Street, Queenstown said he has not done much adjustment to his 2008 GSXR 600 Suzuki motorbike, but is still hoping to increase his speed on Sunday.
“All I’ve done basically since my return from the second leg at Bushy Park in Barbados is clean the bike and do a bit of tuning,” Vieira reported.
The reigning local champion is the closest rider to Graham in the points standing and according to him despite the Canadian’s dominance in the first two legs of the Caribbean Series he still has a slight psychological advantage over the championship leader, having beaten him convincingly the last time the two met at the South Dakota Circuit.
“I will be looking to take full advantage of that edge I hold over him on this Circuit and with the anticipated home support that I will have, it should give me supreme confidence come Sunday,” Vieira felt. He, too, was seen preparing to go to the Circuit to participate in practice sessions which according to him is valuable at this time with time trials set for tomorrow.
Vieira opined that the division which has seen a large number of entrants for sometime will be competitive and anyone could spring a surprise.
“The category is wide open and fans will definitely get a good show from the riders.”
Carlos Rodrigues, Joel Niblette, Andy Rajkaran, Maurice Menezes, Kevin Graham, Craig Atkinson of Canada, Brook Miller from Barbados and Halquin Rodney out of Jamaica are all in town making the division one of the showpiece events for the day. Vieira extended thanks to his main sponsor Sunburst Orange Juice, who he stated has demonstrated the prudence to be good corporate citizens.
“It is going to be tough, but I’m mentally ready for the battle and do Guyana proud.”