Joined Feb 2007
6K Posts | 58+
Rovrum S,Yorks Eng
FIVE-TIME 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan labelled Valentino Rossi as good as any rider in history after the Italian's record-breaking win at the Indianapolis MotoGP yesterday.
Rossi sped within a point of an eighth world title, which is a formality after the rain-shortened race in Indiana, where he surpassed compatriot Giacomo Agostini's record of 68 victories in the top category.
"People sometimes ask who is the greatest rider of all time? It's hard to say because every era is different," said Doohan, who sits third on the all-time list with 54.
"That said, Valentino is probably as good as there has ever been, if not the best.
"I'm sure he will win many more races, if he stays fit, and I'm looking forward to seeing him go head-to-head with Casey Stoner and the others at Phillip Island in a few weeks."
Rossi was declared the winner after 20 laps when the race, the first at the legendary Brickyard since 1909, was red-flagged as rain and gale-force winds, a legacy of Hurricane Ike, swept the circuit.
Rossi's 69th victory in the top category handed him an 87-point lead from defending champion Stoner — who was fourth — and, with four races left, he can clinch the 2008 championship just by picking up a point at Motegi in Japan in two weeks.
Rossi was pleased to grab two slices of motorcycling history. "To win the first race here at Indianapolis is a great emotion and to beat Agostini's record is also incredible. Now I hope my record will stand for 30 years like his," Rossi said.
Doohan said Rossi's winning strike-rate was impressive. "To win as many races as he has in less than nine seasons shows how consistent he has been, and that's his strength, as well as his ability," he said.
theage.com.au
Rossi sped within a point of an eighth world title, which is a formality after the rain-shortened race in Indiana, where he surpassed compatriot Giacomo Agostini's record of 68 victories in the top category.
"People sometimes ask who is the greatest rider of all time? It's hard to say because every era is different," said Doohan, who sits third on the all-time list with 54.
"That said, Valentino is probably as good as there has ever been, if not the best.
"I'm sure he will win many more races, if he stays fit, and I'm looking forward to seeing him go head-to-head with Casey Stoner and the others at Phillip Island in a few weeks."
Rossi was declared the winner after 20 laps when the race, the first at the legendary Brickyard since 1909, was red-flagged as rain and gale-force winds, a legacy of Hurricane Ike, swept the circuit.
Rossi's 69th victory in the top category handed him an 87-point lead from defending champion Stoner — who was fourth — and, with four races left, he can clinch the 2008 championship just by picking up a point at Motegi in Japan in two weeks.
Rossi was pleased to grab two slices of motorcycling history. "To win the first race here at Indianapolis is a great emotion and to beat Agostini's record is also incredible. Now I hope my record will stand for 30 years like his," Rossi said.
Doohan said Rossi's winning strike-rate was impressive. "To win as many races as he has in less than nine seasons shows how consistent he has been, and that's his strength, as well as his ability," he said.
theage.com.au
