MotoGP legend Rossi chasing Bathurst 12-hour podium

Motorcycle GP legend Valentino Rossi is all for tackling the Bathurst 1000 – he just wants a 12-hour podium first.

The 45-year-old Italian returns to the iconic Mount Panorama track behind the wheel of a BMW M4 GT3 for the WRT team in his third bid at a top-three finish.

A podium finish at the international endurance race has remained elusive for Rossi, who looked poised to do so last year before falling short with a fifth-placed

“We can finish on the podium,” Rossi told AAP.

“The podium is always the target, especially last year, we were very strong.

“Unfortunately, the rain arrived. Usually it doesn’t rain here, so we were a bit unlucky.

“With the rain, unfortunately, we weren’t fast enough, so we lost the podium position.

“That is extra motivation for coming back and for trying another time this year.”

Charles Weerts, Rossi’s biggest challenge will be fending off a contingent of homegrown Supercars drivers.

Queensland product Matt Campbell will be out to claim back-to-back wins, having also won the 2019 race.

Campbell will start 11th on Sunday’s grid, while Rossi will be 12th, with Team Craft-Bamboo Racing on pole after Lucas Auer clocked 2 minutes 1.2760 seconds.

Supercars ace Broc Feeney will start second in the Jamec Racing car, with Mercedes-AMG Team GMR’s Maro Engel third.

The 22-car field also includes reigning Supercars champion Will Brown, two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Chaz Mostert, Cam Waters, Thomas Randle and Jaxon Evans.

Brown, Mostert and co-driver Daniel Serra are fifth on the starting grid in the Arise Racing GT car.

Tickford duo Waters and Randle will start ninth, sharing the #222 Scott Taylor Motorsport car with Australian motorsport legend Craig Lowndes.

Lowndes will be eyeing a third 12-hour victory to go with his seven Bathurst 1000 wins.

While his attention remains focused on a podium breakthrough on Sunday, Rossi admits interest in taking to a Gen3 Supercar for a chance at a different type of Bathurst glory.

“This is interesting for me to try because it’s a big race,” Rossi said.

“It’s a big race and it’s the most famous race on this track.

“It’s in another part of the season and I have my program, so it’s difficult, but maybe in the future, one time, why not?

“It’s a great race. Yes, I want to try one