10th title motivation for Rossi at 40

– Valentino Rossi says losing MotoGP titles he “deserved” to win are helping him stay motivated at the age of 40 (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Football World Cup winner Diego Maradona, Tennis ace Roger Federer and five-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton were among the sporting greats to wish Rossi happy birthday (Marca)

– Yamaha race director Lin Jarvis is pleased with the development of new Yamaha test rider Jonas Folger, though no race outings are planned for 2019 (SpeedWeek)

– Supersport World 300 champion Ana Carrasco will find out tonight (February 18th) whether she has won the Breakthrough Star of the Year gong at the Laureus World Sports Awards (AS)