There may be a shortage of MotoGP™ track action at present for
nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi, but that didn’t stop the
Italian taking to the tarmac last weekend as he finished runner-up in
the Monza Rally Show.
Three times a winner of the event, Yamaha Factory Racing rider Rossi -
at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS WRC – had travelled to the iconic
circuit on the outskirts of Milan to tackle nine asphalt stages. He
would finish second only to Citroen World Rally Championship star Dani
Sordo, with a 10.6-second margin between the duo.
“This is one of the highlights of the year,” Rossi said. “I get to race against my friends and there is very little pressure to perform. It is a shame that I didn't get the overall wins, but I'm proud of four stage wins which is incredible for me - and I get to see all of the fans from rally and MotoGP™, which is great. I’m coming back next year!”
Rossi, competing alongside Carlo Cassina who served as co-driver, also finished second to Spain’s Sordo in the Master Show knock-out tournament, while endurance driver Rinaldo ‘Dindo’ Capello completed the overall podium in a Citroen.
“This is one of the highlights of the year,” Rossi said. “I get to race against my friends and there is very little pressure to perform. It is a shame that I didn't get the overall wins, but I'm proud of four stage wins which is incredible for me - and I get to see all of the fans from rally and MotoGP™, which is great. I’m coming back next year!”
Rossi, competing alongside Carlo Cassina who served as co-driver, also finished second to Spain’s Sordo in the Master Show knock-out tournament, while endurance driver Rinaldo ‘Dindo’ Capello completed the overall podium in a Citroen.