Rainey looking for improvement

Mugello Italy, May 15: Three-times World 500 cc Champion Wayne Rainey is hoping that his Castrol-backed Yamaha team of Japanese rider Norifumi Abe and Spaniard Sete Gibemau will challenge the Honda riders that have dominated this year8217;s 500cc Championship, at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The fourth round of the championship is scheduled to be held at the picturesque Mugello circuit, which has a reputation of providing fast and close racing.

So far, Honda riders have dominated this year8217;s championship with World Champion Michael Doohan leading his Honda team-mate Alex Criville by five points. Abe is the best-placed non-Honda rider in sixth place. 8220;I8217;m sixth in the championship and I just hope things get better,8221; said Abe, after finishing seventh in the previous round at Jerez in Spain. 8220;Mugello is not my favourite track. It has lot of blind corners which make things difficult,8221; he added quickly. Team Manager Rainey acknowledges that it will be a tough race round the 5.245km circuit.