MotoGP news

Rossi dedicates victory to Colin McRae

Valentino Rossi managed to win the race at Estoril after an exciting race. Even though the Italian didn't have a great start he managed to work himself to the front of the field without any major problems. In the end he grabbed the lead ahead of Dani Pedrosa and dedicated his win to Colin McRae, who died in a horrible helicopter accident.

After the race Rossi commented: "First of all I want to dedicate this victory to Colin McRae, who sadly died yesterday. Colin is one of my idols from when I was very young and it's because of him that I have my passion for rally. It's a very sad day for motorsport and I am glad that I could win for him today.

"This is a very important victory for us in every way, it's the fourth one of the year so the numbers are starting to look a little bit better, and it's a great, great emotion to win again after so long without even a podium. Today my Yamaha and my tyres worked very well. Our new engine is better and today I was able to keep in the slipstream of the Honda and the Ducati on the straight, and even to go alongside them at some points, so this is very important. Michelin have done some good work on the tyres and today we were maybe stronger than our rivals. Once again we've shown that when the tyres are working well we can fight at the top."

Rossi furthermore said: "I had a great battle with Casey but most of all with Dani and it was fantastic fun to ride like this again, at the maximum and with a lot of good passes. When I passed Dani for the first time I tried to go but he was too good so I knew it was going to come down to the last few laps. At the end Dani started to slide a little and I knew I was stronger on the brakes than him in some places, so I was able to make a good pass. When I came out of the last corner on the second to last lap I could only think about how I lost the championship there last year so I knew I had to be far enough ahead next time around!"

more news

• 05 Oct.
  • Photos: Sunday at Phillip Island
  • Stoner dominates home Grand Prix
• 04 Oct.
  • Photos: Saturday at Phillip Island
  • Stoner on pole at home Grand Prix
• 03 Oct.
  • Photos: Friday at Phillip Island
• 02 Oct.
  • Elias to replace Nakano at Gresini
• 28 Sep.
  • Photos: Sunday in Motegi
  • Lorenzo misses out on podium
  • Pedrosa happy with podium
  • Stoner concedes title to Rossi
  • Rossi savours 'hardest fight' for title
  • Rossi takes sixth MotoGP title with victory at Motegi
• 27 Sep.
  • Bug ruins Stoner's shot at pole
  • Lorenzo celebrates stunning pole
  • Rossi disappointed with fourth
  • Photos: Saturday in Motegi
  • Lorenzo on pole at Motegi
• 26 Sep.
  • Photos: Friday in Motegi
  • Rossi looking for more grip
  • Stoner happy with Friday pace
  • Stoner back on top at Montegi practice
  • Dovizioso to join Repsol Honda in 2009
  • JiR to quit MotoGP
• 24 Sep.
  • Rossi aims to wrap up title in Japan
  • Stoner hoping for better result at Montegi
• 15 Sep.
  • Ducati confirms Hayden for 2009
  • Hayden and Honda to split
• 14 Sep.
  • Photos: Sunday in Indianapolis
  • Rossi celebrates making history
  • Stoner reflects on fourth
  • Rossi takes Indianapolis victory
  • Kawasaki confirms Melandri for 2009
• 13 Sep.
  • Photos: Saturday in Indianapolis
  • Rossi beats Stoner to Indy pole
• 12 Sep.
  • Stoner happy despite crash
  • Photos: Friday in Indianapolis
  • Rossi hopes for better weather
  • West finishes wet first day on top
  • West sets early pace in wet
• 09 Sep.
  • Yamaha riders unveil new R1 in Las Vegas

Homepage