Rossi writes history
17/10/04
Valentino Rossi wrote history today as his Yamaha dream came through. The Doctor became worldchampion for the 6th time in his career and for the 4th (back to back) time in the premier class. In a stunning and exciting last lap Valentino had us all sitting on the edge of our seats.
His championship rival Sete Gibernau led most of the race, but at lap 18 of 27 Valentino passed him on the straight. The Doctor was slowly opening up a gap, but a few laps later Gibernau makes his move on the same spot and takes the lead again. Both riders were going for victory and not willing to give in or give up.
In the last lap of the race Valentino squeezes passed Gibernau, but Gibernau stays right on the back of his bike. In the Honda-hairpin both riders break hard and Rossi gets forced to run wide. Gibernau grabs the chance and retakes the lead. But with only a few corners to go Valentino makes a breathtaking inside move on Gibernau and never lets go afterwards. Valentino crossed the finishline only 0.097 seconds ahead of Gibernau. Loris Capirossi finishes 3rd, ahead of Rossi's new teammate Colin Edwards and Alex Barros.
For the 100th time in his career he steps onto the podium. With his 4th back to back title on two different factory bikes he sealed his place among the greatest motorbike riders ever. All the odds were agains him when he switched from the dominating Honda to the uncompetitive Yamaha.
Valentino gave Yamaha their first worldtitle since 1992. Rossi now has 41 wins out of 79 races in the premier class. That gives him a winning percentage of 51.8%, far more superior to his former mentor Mick Doohan 39.4%.
|