Rossi top dog in Jerez

The last MotoGP test of the season got underway at the Andalucian circuit of Jerez today, with unexpectedly cold temperatures delaying the start of activity until late morning for the Yamaha duo of Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards. Unfortunately, it then began to rain soon after track temperatures had risen to suitable level and Rossi and Edwards, testing Yamaha's new prototype 800cc motorcycle side-by-side for the first time, were only able to complete a few laps in the dry.

Rossi nonetheless topped the unofficial time sheets at the end of the day, posting a top time of 1'41.745 after 17 laps. Edwards was third fastest in the dry with a lap of 1'42.293 and the Texan also took the chance to try out his new bike in the wet, completing 36 laps in total before calling it a day. Sandwiched between the Yamaha pair was Suzuki rider John Hopkins, who set the second fastest time of 1'42.161 out of a total of 12 riders testing.

"I'm very happy to see that we have no chatter here, because we had quite a lot of problems in the first race last season. This is one of my favourite tracks and it's a great pleasure for me to be able to ride comfortably again at it; it feels like another track compared to last March! Our new bike seems to work well and so far I am very happy with it. Unfortunately we only had time for a few laps before the bad weather stopped us just when we were about to begin to test some different things, but anyway we have made a good start. Even though the bike is clearly going well for both Colin and I at the moment, we know that we have a lot of work to do and so these next two days are going to be very important to us. I have some new stickers on my bike and a new helmet; they're a reference to the legend of King Arthur and 'Excalibur'! I want to show everyone that we are ready to fight back and that we're ready to do our very best throughout these winter tests. Let's hope the weather is good tomorrow so we can begin our task properly!"

1st win on 4 wheels

Valentino Rossi scored his first win on four wheels at the weekend in the Monza Rally.

The MotoGP star built up a comfortable lead on the first day of the event by winning all five stages on Saturday, and he then consolidated his position on day two to win the event by nearly 25 seconds from sportscar racer Dindo Capello.

"It was about time I won this event since I've tried for the past 10 years," Rossi told Gazzetta Dello Sport. The Italian believes that the victory is evidence of the experience he has gained gradually in rallying, which included competing in Rally New Zealand earlier this month.

"In this sport, even if it is not a world championship event, you can't just use a magic wand," he said. "I gained my experience in the lower ranks and now I'm reaping the rewards."

Rossi still has ambitions to further his rally experience, and he is targeting an event on snow in the near future. "After the rallies on asphalt at Monza and gravel in New Zealand, I would like to try a rally on snow now," he said.

"Next year there will be Rally Norway in February. It's a bit too close to the start of the MotoGP season to prepare properly, but I'd like to be there."

I'll be back

Valentino Rossi wants to compete in Rally Great Britain next year, the Italian has confirmed.The Moto GP superstar finished 11th in the New Zealand Rally at the weekend in a privateer Subaru, after improving his pace throughout the event.

"The Doctor" enjoyed himself so much, that he intends to compete again as soon as possible – even if his Yamaha commitments on two wheels mean he will not be able to drive in a WRC event again until the Wales-based rally in December 2007.

Rossi told Motorsport News: "Rallying is my passion and it's possible that when I stop with bikes in the future, I make some more rallies. For sure now I make one more maybe on Rally GB near my house next year. After that I decide whether we make a longer programme because I need to know if I like it and if I have a good potential for the future."Rossi will be back on his Yamaha bike next week as he returns to the track for a three-day test in Jerez in Spain.

The Clips of "The Doctor" at WRC Rally New Zealand 2006 in a Subaru Impreza World Rally Car.

Rossi happy to reach the finish

Valentino Rossi, Rally New ZealandValentino Rossi described his run to 11th place in the Rally New Zealand as "great fun" and declared himself content with his progress in his second World Rally Championship appearance.

The former MotoGP champion made a cautious start to the event and was only 36th quickest out of 42 competitors in the first stage of the rally. But Rossi gradually picked up his pace as he acclimatised to the Subaru Impreza and the changeable weather conditions.

He was substantially faster in his second runs through repeated stages, and was seventh quickest in the Mystery Creek superspecial on Saturday afternoon - ahead of factory Subaru drivers Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson. A few small spins were the only blemishes on an otherwise trouble-free drive.

This one-off outing was Rossi's first WRC appearance since his ill-fated Rally GB attempt in 2002, when he crashed out in the opening stage. With that disappointment in mind, Rossi was delighted to reach the finish of the rally.

"I am at the end without big problems and also with the car not damaged - that is very important," he said. "It was a real experience in a real world championship rally. We tried to understand the road and the car, and just tried to improve. It was a hard job, but I enjoyed it a lot. My performance was becoming better. For sure I have work to do to be very fast but anyway we had great fun in the car so I'm happy."

Rossi was 20 minutes behind rally winner Marcus Gronholm at the end of the event, but only 18 seconds away from a top ten position, and eighth amongst the WRC cars. Series boss David Richards suggested earlier this week that Rossi could choose to make a full-time switch to rallying when his motorcycling career comes to an end.

Rossi steps it up with three top ten stage times

MotoGP star, Valentino Rossi continued to make progress on the Rally New Zealand on Saturday, and after a steady start on Friday he managed to claw his way up the leader-board.

Rossi began the day in 24th place overall and despite some extremely taxing conditions, with heavy rain particularly affecting the opening three tests, he managed to make up nine places on the first loop, having set the 16th fastest time in SS6, the 19th best in SS7 and a storming tenth fastest time in SS8. He then made further progress in the afternoon and set two more top ten stage times, his best in the second run through the Mystery Creek super special when he was seventh fastest. As such he now lies in 13th place overall in his privately entered Subaru Impreza.

"I am satisfied with the progress I have made today and with the P Zeros that Pirelli has supplied," he reflected. "They worked well and went straight into the right operating temperature, even though the climate is certainly not mild. Anyway, I don't want to force the pace or take useless risks. I want to finish the rally and, at the same time, enjoy myself. For now, that suits me fine."

Asked about the stages more generally he noted that the 13.88 kilometre run through Klondyke [SS7] was probably one of the toughest, while he loved the two Te Akau tests [SS9 and SS10].

"Stage seven was very difficult with lots of puddles, this one was very slippery. We took it quietly there and tried to drive very cleanly. Stage nine was one of the best - it was really flowing and it is really fantastic when it is quick [like that]. I have driven well but I lost the car in one corner and I had had a spin and that cost me about 30 seconds. The next stage [SS10] was good too. The camber is perfect on these roads, I love it. I'm having fun - the car is perfect."

Pirelli rally manager, Mario Isola meanwhile was impressed with the form of the Italian, who is more known for his exploits on two wheels than four: "Valentino is making tangible progress," he noted. "He is setting encouraging times - especially considering the decidedly inclement weather conditions in which he is confronting this rally which is not among the simplest in the FIA World Rally Championship."

Not so bad

Italian motorcycle star Valentino Rossi rarely makes the same mistake twice, so he wasn't about to make a hasty exit from his second world rally championship (WRC) drive.

The seven times world motorcyling champion may have failed to win his sixth straight MotoGP title in Spain last month but his return to rally driving after a four-year hiatus went smoothly in the Rally of New Zealand yesterday.

Anxious to see out the first of three days, Rossi, known as The Doctor, prescribed himself a cautious, safety first approach – mindful that in his first WRC experience in Wales in 2002, he crashed early on the first day.

Rossi, driving an all black Subaru, was seeded 11th, if only to follow the big names over the graduated start line in Pirongia. And at the end of the first stage he was 24th overall, 10 minutes 55.1 seconds behind the leading Ford Focus of Finland's Marcus Gronholm.

Rossi spun out briefly during the first stage but that was his only scare as he opted to drive within his limited four-wheeled capabilities. He was neat and tidy, generally sticking to the middle of the road, and clearly not as committed as the experts ahead of him. "I had a little bit of a spin, it was more slippery than I thought, I was very cautious," Rossi said after a morning session complicated by steady overnight rain.

Rossi was severely tested by the 43.88km second stage: "It's very difficult, very long and takes a lot of concentration, it's like going to the airport in Bologna." However, he completed the circuit more assuredly second time round in the afternoon phase before closing with a trouble-free special stage sprint at Mystery Creek.

Rossi stuck to his game plan as the crowds gathered at rally headquarters in Mystery Creek and hardly set the pulses racing with a 3:07.7 run. Gronholm raced around in 2:59.8. Rossi said his goal was simply to have fun and make the finish line on Sunday, 12 more stages away. "We have arrived at the end (yesterday), so it is not so bad."

Rain and Rossi headline New Zealand rally

With injured champion Sebastian Loeb a non-starter, heavy rain and Valentino Rossi have become the big talking points of the New Zealand round of the World Rally Championship this weekend.

Rain is forecast from early Friday when the rally begins, and is unlikely to let up before the finish on Sunday.

Loeb, who hasn't started a rally since breaking his arm in a mountain bike accident in September, was guaranteed the world crown when his nearest rival Marcus Gronholm crashed out in Australia two weeks ago.

But still at stake is the manufacturers championship where Ford are close to denying Citroen the drivers-manufacturers double. Mikko Hirvonen's maiden win in Australia earned Ford 10 points and with Marcus Gronholm also in the money in Perth, Ford only needs three points to secure the title.

With Loeb sidelined Citroen has again nominated Xevi Pons and Dani Sordo as points scorers for the event. Meanwhile, the Subaru team, spearheaded by Petter Solberg and Australian Chris Atkinson are hoping to break their 14-race duck and salvage something from a wretched season which showed signs of an upswing in Perth before both crashed out.

The sideshow to the rally will be the appearance of Italian motorcycling hero Rossi who has entered as a privateer in a borrowed Subaru Impreza and admits he is in it for fun. "I want to understand how the car works and my potential in rallying and make the finish,"he told reporters on arrival. "But I want to have fun and enjoy myself."

It will be the 27-year-old Yamaha rider's second appearance in the World Rally Championship - he competed in Britain in 2002 in a Peugeot 205 but failed to progress beyond the first day.

Rossi arrives for Rally of NZ

Motorcycling champion Valentino Rossi was whisked away in a helicopter to prepare for his tilt at the Rally of New Zealand after landing at Auckland.

The Italian seven-time world motorcycling champion will drive a Subaru Impreza in a change of codes when the New Zealand leg of the World Rally Championship (WRC) starts in Waikato on Thursday. He was to spend Tuesday on reconnaissance at the first special stage south of Pirongia.

Rossi, who flew in from Hong Kong and has flirted with rallying in the past, said he was here to have fun on what was considered one of the better (WRC) circuits. "I have done a little bit before with Subaru in Italy last year and decided to try here because I know it is one of the best rallies in the championship," he said.

Rossi, one of the highest-paid people in motorsport, said he was pleased to escape the constant media attention he gets in the northern hemisphere. "This is far away from all the journalists and hype," he said. The New Zealand rally will be Rossi's second attempt at a WRC event, after a start in Britain in 2002. That time he was driving a Peugeot 205 prepared by the Italian Grifone team and did not make it through the first day of competition.

He has also competed in non-championship rallies in Italy and considered the sport his second passion behind motorcycle racing. Rossi said he was not aiming too high for the New Zealand event. "I want to understand how the car works and my potential in rallying and make the finish. But I want to have fun and enjoy myself." Rossi's car is being run by the Subaru World Rally Team.

Rossi doubtful over four-wheeled future

Moto GP superstar Valentino Rossi doubts he will race cars competitively, despite an impressive maiden run in a DTM car at Hockenheim.

The 27-year-old Italian, who came second in this year’s Moto GP world championship after winning five straight titles between 2001 and 2005, drove a Mercedes-Benz C-Class run by the German manufacturer’s works AMG squad.

"The test was truly big fun," said Rossi afterwards. "The AMG-Mercedes C-Class is an impressive racing car and handles nearly as a single-seater. Still, I don't yet know if I'm ever going to contest races on four wheels. But it's good to know that I wouldn't look too bad if I did so and I'd like to than Mercedes-Benz for this opportunity."

Mercedes-Benz motorsport chief Norbert Haug was impressed with Rossi's run in the car that Mika Hakkinen has raced this seasonHaug said: "Valentino is a true motor racing icon. He got on well with the AMG-Mercedes C-Class right from the start and he also succeeded in proving his skills at the wheel of the racing car."

This test with a driver as renowned as Valentino Rossi represents an accolade for the race series DTM, even if this doesn't mean that Valentino is going to move now from bike riding to tin-top racing."

Rossi has been linked with a switch to four wheels for over two years. He tested on numerous occasions for Ferrari's Formula One squad, fuelling rumours of a code-switch, and will drive a Subaru WRC car in Rally New Zealand next weekend. Should he race in the DTM in the future, he would follow the example of Johnny Cecotto. The Venezeulan, who won the 350cc world title in 1975, raced in the tin-top series in 1988.

Rossi Diary no.2

Valentino diary – September 2006

A lot of things have happened since my last diary, especially on the track, but I have talked enough about that in the press and now my only thoughts regarding racing are to do as well as I possibly can over the last five races. It is quite strange because for the first time in almost six years I'm not feeling any pressure to go and win the championship. Of course it's still possible and I am going to try, I don't think anybody expects it of me now and I can just go out to enjoy each race and try to do my best.

With just one race in the past seven weeks I have been able to take some time out to relax and enjoy myself, which I especially needed after what happened at Laguna Seca. From there I went back to London for ten days and spent most of my time catching up on some shopping, going out with friends and taking care of my house. Soon after I was there last, there were all the security alerts at Heathrow. Personally I just try to not think about it, even if I’m really worried, because I live there and I have to travel a lot. It makes me really sad that these things can happen but we can only pray for the end of these tragic events.

After ten days in London I went to Italy for a short break before the race at Brno and was able to relax some more and spend time with my family and my dog, Guido. After Brno I went to Ibiza – a place I always love to go on holiday. Last week I took a boat out to Formentera – a really beautiful island in the Mediterranean near Ibiza, and had a great time some friends.

Going to Ibiza so late in the summer means it is a little less crazy and there are less people, so I can relax a bit more, and I wasn’t worrying about the bike so much, which was nice for me too. It may sound as though all I do when I am not racing is relax but I can assure you I train every single day. To be a MotoGP rider you have to be in top physical shape and even though riding the bikes keeps you fit during the season I still go jogging and visit the gym often.

Even though I haven't had much to celebrate on the racetrack this summer, as an Italian I have to mention the football World Cup, which of course we won against France back in July. I watched all the games during the competition – many of them in the Camel Yamaha hospitality unit at the circuits – and really enjoyed every one, especially the semi-final against Germany. A lot of the team are Italian so we were able to enjoy the games together – we even knocked out Australia so that kept Jeremy Burgess and my other mechanics quiet, thank goodness! When we won the final against France I went crazy - riding around on my bike with my best friends: it was an unforgettable night.

Speaking of football, my team Inter Milan have started the season well by making some good signings and winning the Super Cup against AS Roma. We were able to take advantage of the punishment given to Juventus by signing Zlatan Ibrahimovich and Patrick Vieira, and we also got Hernan Crespo from Chelsea, which I was really happy about because they are really good players. Vieira and Crespo both scored in the Super Cup so it looks like they will be good signings for Inter and I think we have a good chance to win Serie A this season, even though it will be difficult.

I have also been keeping an eye on the Formula 1 and I am very sad to hear that my good friend Michael Schumacher may be retiring. Even though it is a shame because he is still at the top I also think it's a great way to finish - still winning races, without spending some years going downhill. I really hope he can win the title this year and I will really be cheering for him - it will be hard but it's not impossible. I think it's good to see that 37 years is not too old in motor racing and when I look at Loris Capirossi I am very happy because he is five years older than me and he is still winning races! The main reason I didn't go to Formula 1 myself was because at the moment I cannot imagine my life without racing motorcycles. So hopefully I have a few more years in me and then I would like to retire at the top.

Anyway, back to motorcycle racing! This weekend we have the first of three races in as many weeks and I think the title could be decided during this trip. Overall this has been a more equal season and of course I am sad for the 30 points that I have lost when I couldn’t finish but it is great fun because now there are five riders within fifty points and they all have a chance to win the title. All of us have won some races this year so everyone is really competitive and it will be tough but I think my bike is in a good way after Brno and my target to win every single one of them. Then we will see how the championship is in Valencia!

Ciao!

Vale #46

Rossi's World Chronograph '46'

Luxury watch manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre announced its partnership with MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi and introduced the first watch resulting from that collaboration, the Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph '46' (246 pieces for the world).

Rossi, who is a confirmed watch fan, visited the brand's Le Sentier manufacture in April 2006 and development then started on the first watch of what should be a long and fruitful partnership. "The collaboration between Valentino and Jaeger comes at the right time, with the right product and the right creativity," says Jérôme Lambert, President, Jaeger-LeCoultre. "It is a joint creation. The designers and engineers shared their ideas and creations with Valentino and he approved them. The result is a Master Compressor expressing Valentino's spirit.

"46 is Valentino's number plate, but it's also the diameter of the watch," he continues. "We made a design adjustment to the existing watch, introducing a touch of Rossi. Six of the time zones are GP circuit names, we included a chequered flag seconds indicator and the caseback is engraved with his number and his signature. This special watch is the only one available in rose gold and titanium, with steel black PVD-coated chronograph pushers."

Rossi: I wish the season started in two weeks

After one last ride on the 990cc Yamaha, to try and understand Sunday's shock title defeat, Valentino Rossi turned his attention to the new 800cc machine with which he aims to reclaim his MotoGP crown.

The five times premier-class champion fell on lap five of the final race of the 990cc era on Sunday, destroying his eight point lead and handing the title to Nicky Hayden, but just three days later Rossi and his main rivals were back at Valencia for the first post-season test of the 'off-season'.

"It was really good to have two days to rest after such a sad day on Sunday and I'm already feeling much better, in fact I wish the season started in two weeks time!" claimed the Italian. "We actually started off the test by doing some laps on the old 990cc bike as we wanted to have one more go at understanding why we lost! Then it was time to finally put it all behind us and get on with the new campaign."

Having only ridden the 800cc Yamaha briefly on two previous occasions, the Valencia test was the first real chance for Rossi and his mechanics to assess the machine in detail and begin serious development work - whilst comparing its speed with rival 800cc machines from Honda, Ducati, Suzuki and Ilmor.

"It's been great to be able to try the new bike straight away, when the 990 is still fresh in my mind, as it's easy to compare and understand the differences," explained Rossi. "Our bike is already quite good; it's at a good level for this early stage of development. This is the third time I've ridden it and it's got better each time because they've been working hard in Japan. They haven't made so many big changes yet, just small things like the engine setting, but already it's a bit faster."

After his early 990cc laps, Rossi went on to put the new Yamaha at the top of the 800cc timesheets on day one by just 0.01secs from Ducati's Loris Capirossi - with the top Suzuki and Honda 800 all within 0.1secs of the #46! However, day two saw Rossi relax his pace, while experimenting with 'different things', and he was left seventh fastest and 1.12secs behind fastest man Dani Pedrosa.

"Yesterday we were fastest, which was exciting, but today we've been trying some different things and we were quite a lot slower," admitted Rossi at the end of the test. "Anyway I'm not worried about that, the most important thing at the moment is to get as much information as possible and really start to understand and get to know the bike. This has been a useful test, I'm already feeling very motivated about the new bike and I am sure that next time I ride it in Jerez it will be even better!"

Rossi keeps his favoured #46 for Rally NZ

Former five-times MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi will be able to sport his famous #46 during an upcoming drive in Rally New Zealand, the penultimate round of the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship.

The FIA has agreed to let Rossi run with the number in his privately entered Subaru Impreza, despite the fact it has been used this season by Nigel Heath in the Production Car WRC category, of which New Zealand is the final round. Heath, also a Subaru driver, will compete in car #44 instead.

Rossi has always used the #46 in grand prix motorcycle racing, despite being entitled to run the #1 plate for the past five seasons. Rossi, who lost out on a sixth consecutive MotoGP crown when he fell in last Sunday's Valencian title decider, is scheduled to conduct a short test in the UK before Rally New Zealand, which runs from November 17-19. No details have been released on the test, as the Italian is trying to keep his participation very low key.

Rossi to be strengthened by defeat

Italy's moto rider Valentino Rossi will recover quickly from seeing the 2006 MotoGP title slip through his fingers and come back in 2007 more motivated than ever, the Yamaha rider's father said on Monday.

Graziano Rossi, one of his son's biggest fans, admitted that the 27-year-old star was bitterly disappointed after falling on lap five of the Valencia Grand Prix and thus handing the title to American rival Nicky Hayden. But he said the rider, who has won seven world titles already, would benefit from his defeat. "I know my son and his character. Valentino will want to prove himself now. Next year he'll be more motivated than ever." "A defeat could also enrich him from a human point of view," he added.

Italian newspapers gave his unexpected defeat front-page treatment, printing pictures Rossi falling from his bike. They also paid tribute to his stature as a sportsman, noting that he had staged a thrilling comeback since the summer, when he had been 51 points behind Hayden.
Valentino - He Lost Like a Champion, headlined Gazzetta dello Sport, and Corriere della Sera, Italy's best-selling daily, wrote Valentino - The Fatal Error.

There were also tributes from Italian politicians, who saw the rider as an example for the country's youth. "Dear Valentino, true champions show their colors in moments of difficulty," said Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, "Italy appreciates what you have done and the excitement you have provided this season, as you have in the past".

Rossi also received encouragement from Ferrari star Michael Schumacher, who has just retired from Formula 1 racing at the age of 37. "I'm crossing my fingers for you. You have many years ahead of you to win more," the German said.