Valentino Rossi has confirmed that he will quit Moto GP racing in three years time, possibly for a switch to four-wheeled motorsport.

The 28-year-old Italian has been linked with a move to both Formula One and the World Rally Championship in the past 18 months, having tested for Ferrari and competed in a number of rally events.

But the Yamaha rider has instead elected to resign his rivals on two-wheels to yet more punishment, for another few years at least, as he goes in search of a sixth world title.

"I have a contract with Yamaha until 2008," said Rossi. "When that finishes then we'll see.

"What I am sure about is that I will ride until I'm 31 or 32 at most. I will look for new stimuli in the next few seasons, but for now I am fully motivated."

Rossi currently trails Australian Casey Stoner by 21 points in the race for this year's word crown as the Moto GP circus heads to the Sachsenring this weekend for round ten of the championship.

A battling win at the Dutch TT last time out for 'The Doctor' helped him close the gap to the Ducati rider, but he knows he needs to pull out all the stops in order to beat Stoner again.

"We know that Casey will be strong again, like he is everywhere this year. With him performing at such a high level at every race, 21 points is not a small amount so we have to be at the maximum," he added.

"We've got work to do still; we're not perfect yet, especially in the wet, but we're going in the right way and we'll keep pushing."

Rossi has previously won three times in Germany, in 2002, 2005 and 2006 and another victory would be his third in as many years at the Sachsenring.

Jamie O'Leary