SHANGHAI: Italian motor legend Valentino Rossi is seeking an opportunity to take revenge on Brazilian Alex Barros at the inaugural Taobao.com MotoGP of China.

　　Rossi, who has won six MotoGP final championships in the past eight years, clinched the title of the season-opening Grand Prix of Spain but had to settle for a second place in the Grande Premio de Portugal when he was beaten by Barros by a small-margin.

　　"I got off to a good start this season and I am hoping to enlarge my lead here in the up-coming event," Rossi said.

　　Dubbed the best motorcyclist in the world, the 26-year-old now tops the MotoGP standings with 45 points, seven ahead of the follower Barros and is keen to enlarge the margin in Shanghai.

　　"Seven points is definitely not enough in the high-competitive tournament," he added.

　　"I'm really looking forward to being at the new track in China, a completely new place for us.

　　"I will start from zero and try to seize any possible chances to enlarge my lead before the mid-season."

　　However, he admits he still needs to iron out some problems.

　　"The bike still has a few problems and we have a lot of work to do," he said of his Yamaha bike. "We made some changes on the bike and now I still need time to get a good corporation with it."

　　His major opponent, Barros, is on fire, not only winning in Portugal but finishing top in all four practice sessions with taking all pole positions. He also set the fastest lap in Portugal.

　　"It was a tough race, the track was in difficult conditions, but the satisfaction was enormous," Barros said.

　　"The podium was really needed to recharge our batteries on the way to China's GP. Our job is not done yet, but we are on the right way."

　　The MotoGP of China is the first time that the world's top motorcycle competition enters China, offering local sports enthusiasts an authentic touch to the top-level tournament.

　　Held from April 29 to May 1 in Shanghai International Circuit, the event features three classes including the MotoGP, 250cc and a 125cc for junior riders.

　　Adding to the excitement, Chinese fans will witness the participation of local riders competing in MotoGP for the first time, thanks to the wild cards provided by the Federation Internationale Motocyclisme (FIM).

　　The 250cc class will see Wang Zhu, Li Chengpeng, Huang Shizhao, Huang Zhiyu and He Zixian competing in the event.

　　Cheung Wai On, Chow Ho Wan and Chou You Rao from Hong Kong will join the 125cc class.

　　Together the eight riders will represent the largest-ever Chinese presence in the MotoGP history.

　　"I hope I can learn something from these motor giants," said Wang. "But I'm a little bit nervous at competing on the homeland."