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."