Tweet
</IMG>Valentino Rossi has clinched his fourth consecutive MotoGP world title in style at Phillip Island on Sunday, emerging victorious from a race-long duel with rival Sete Gibernau. He becomes only the second MotoGP rider after Eddie Lawson to win back-to-back titles with different manufacturers.
</IMG> STAT BOX - Valentino RossiUnwilling to simply settle for second position in the race - a result that would have secured the title - Valentino Rossi recovered from a slow start to settle into a race-long duel with Sete Gibernau, shadowing the Honda for the majority of the race before going for the killer blow.
</IMG> Gibernau and Rossi haven't exchanged words since the controversy of Qatar, and it was clearly visible that Rossi not only wanted to win the title in style, but was eager to get one over on the Spaniard - this was personal.Rossi hit the front with seven laps remaining, and held that lead for a handful of laps before Gibernau kicked for home, taking the lead with three laps to go. However, while the Honda was clearly quicker down the straights, the Yamaha had the edge in the corners and it was here that Rossi made his move.
Rossi dived underneath Gibernau in turn two before running wide at the next corner, allowing the Gresini Honda rider to lead going into the final part of the lap. Only one opportunity remained and Rossi took it, scything his way underneath Gibernau to win by just 0.067 seconds.
</IMG>It was Rossi's fourth consecutive victory at Phillip Island, his 100th career podium and his seventh in nine starts at the circuit. It was also a record eight victory for Yamaha this season, putting him ahead of the previous record of seven scored by Eddie Lawson (1986, 1988) and Wayne Rainey (1990). It was also Yamaha's first title since Wayne Rainey in 1992
"This is incredible," Rossi said. "It is a great day at the end of a fantastic year where we have worked so well, putting the M1 at the top. Today is a fantastic day, Gibernau was very fast and the last lap was a great battle, very funny.
"Every world championship has another feeling, another story," Rossi added. "For sure the first one was incredible. The emotion is incredible. But this one for me is the best."
Rossi becomes the seventh rider to claim four or more premier-class world championships. Italy's Giacomo Agostini won eight, three ahead of Australia's Mick Doohan, with Mike Hailwood, Geoff Duke, Eddie Lawson and John Surtees claiming four, but only Hailwood, Agostini, Doohan and Rossi have won four in a row.
Gibernau, meanwhile, was clearly disappointed with the defeat to Rossi. "We tried our best, congratulation to Valentino and his team, they were the best and we'll try again next year," he said. "We mustn't forget that we are a satellite team with a satellite bike."
Loris Capirrosi recorded Ducati's best result of the season in third.
een abonnement moeten pakken op canal+ om Eurosport te hebben.Maar kan nu wel de GP's zien.:biggrin:
Comment