Valentino Rossi to make 100th Yamaha start

Valentino Rossi to make 100th Yamaha start

Valentino Rossi will start his 100th MotoGP race for Yamaha this weekend at Estoril.

After leaving Honda at the end of 2003, the Italian shocked MotoGP with a stunning victory on his M1 race debut in the 2004 season-opening Africa's Grand Prix.

Rossi went on to win the world championship for Yamaha in both 2004 and 2005, before losing out on the 2006 title to Nicky Hayden at the very final round - then slipping to a MotoGP worst of third during the first season of 800cc racing in 2007.

The Italian superstar fought back to claim his third Yamaha title in 2008 and is on course for a fourth in 2009, holding a 30 point lead over team-mate Jorge Lorenzo with four rounds to go.

Prior to joining Yamaha, Rossi won three premier-class titles for Honda - the last 500cc crown in 2001, then the first two 990cc MotoGP titles in 2002 and 2003.

During his 99 Yamaha starts to date, Rossi has taken 44 wins (including six in 2009), 71 podiums and 27 pole positions.

Rossi's most successful Yamaha season, in terms of race wins, was in 2005 when he matched his Honda record of 11 victories in one season.

As well as his six premier-class titles, Rossi won the 250cc championship in 1999 and the 125cc title in 1997, both with Aprilia.

Rossi made 64 race starts for Honda between 2000 and 2003, winning 33 times, and 60 starts for Aprilia between 1996 and 1999 (in 125 and 250) when he took 26 wins.

The following list shows the riders who have made most starts in the premier-class riding Yamaha machinery:

1. Norick Abe 143
2. Carlos Checa 112
3. Valentino Rossi 99
4. Christian Sarron 98
5. Eddie Lawson 86 

 

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Rossi: 800cc MotoGP's biggest mistake for 15 years

Valentino Rossi has labelled the decision to cut MotoGP engine capacity from 990cc to 800cc for 2007 as 'the biggest mistake in the last 15 years'.

In an interview with Dennis Noyes for Spain's Motociclismo publication, the reigning six time MotoGP world champion - a premier-class title winner on a 500cc two-stroke, then 990cc and 800cc four-strokes - stated:
The 990 motorcycle was 'rough' and wild, but with a great motor and a lot power. The 800 is worse, simply worse, it is the same motorcycle with less power. I was very sad at the beginning, now it has improved, yes... But the power from the 990 made it a lot more fun".

Rossi was then asked how the show can be improved for fans watching trackside and on TV - and has answer made painful reading for those behind the change to 800cc.

"For me the spectacle with the 990 was the same as with the 500. There were big battles and large slides - this is what the public wants, no? The 990 slid a lot on the entry to the turns, but above all on the exit of the corners.
With the 800... I believe that the 800 are the biggest mistake the world championship has made in the last 15 years. We have lost a great part of the spectacle and part of this is because electronics have advanced so much.
For me the manufacturers committed a great error when they changed to 800cc. The 990s were better in every way.

The cut in engine capacity was designed to limit top speeds, but has resulted in higher cornering speeds and greater dependency on electronics.

To rub salt into the wound, Dani Pedrosa took his factory Honda to a new all-time Motorcycle Grand Prix top speed of 349.3 km/h in the opening practice session for this year's Italian Grand Prix.

No satellite rider has yet won an 800cc race, while it took until this year's Catalan Grand Prix for an 800cc race to be won with a last lap pass.

The following table also shows how the change to smaller engines has halved the number of different race winners (from 14 to 7).

Note that weather was a factor in the single 800cc wins for Chris Vermeulen (fully wet), Loris Capirossi (wet/dry) and Andrea Dovizioso (damp).

MotoGP race winners: 990cc (2002-2006)
Honda: 10 riders - Valentino Rossi (20 wins), Sete Gibernau (8), Marco Melandri (5), Nicky Hayden (3), Max Biaggi (3), Dani Pedrosa (2), Alex Barros (2), Makoto Tamada (2), Toni Elias (1), Tohru Ukawa (1).
Yamaha: 2 riders - Valentino Rossi (25), Max Biaggi (2).
Ducati: 2 riders - Loris Capirossi (6), Troy Bayliss (1).
Suzuki: 0
Kawasaki: 0
Aprilia: 0
Roberts: 0
WCM: 0
Moriwaki: 0

MotoGP race winners: 800cc (2007 onwards)
Yamaha: 2 riders - Valentino Rossi (19 wins), Jorge Lorenzo (4).
Ducati: 2 riders - Casey Stoner (18), Loris Capirossi (1).
Honda: 2 riders - Dani Pedrosa (5), Andrea Dovizioso (1).
Suzuki: 1 rider - Chris Vermeulen (1).
Kawasaki: 0
Roberts: 0
Ilmor: 0

Valentino Rossi is he still the best Motogp rider? Will there be any second best to valentino rossi?

Valentino Rossi looking for error free finish

Valentino Rossi looking for error free finish

 Valentino Rossi is determined to eradicate some of the crucial mistakes that have dogged him in 2009 as he prepares to wrap up a ninth world title.

With just four races of the campaign remaining in Portugal, Australia, Malaysia and Spain, the 30-year-old is firm favourite to capture his seventh premier class world title.

Following his sixth win of 2009 in Misano recently, the Fiat Yamaha rider holds a comfortable 30-point advantage over team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Rossi though is determined to avoid a repeat of mistakes in Le Mans, Donington and Indianapolis as he looks to end Lorenzo’s brave challenge.

The Italian said: "The important thing is not to make any mistakes and arrive on the podium at every race and maybe try to win before Valencia. But anything can happen, any rider can make a mistake so I don't know if it is possible to win before Valencia.

"I had the chance to make things a lot easier but Indy was a big disaster. There are four races and 30-points is a good advantage. But also I was 50 in front and it is very easy to make a mistake at this level."

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Rossi increases lead

Valentino Rossi led home a Fiat Yamaha one-two as he stretched his lead in the FIM MotoGP World Championship to 30 points over team-mate Jorge Lorenzo with victory at the San Marino Grand Prix.

Rossi and Lorenzo were well clear of the Repsol Honda of Dani Pedrosa at the chequered flag at Misano as the Spaniard's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso came in fourth.

Fifth went to veteran Rizla Suzuki rider Loris Capirossi as the fast-starting Toni Elias, on the San Carlo Gresini Honda, finally faded from second to finish the race in sixth.

Victory stretched Rossi's lead over title rival Lorenzo as Pedrosa's third place moved him up to third in the standings over Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner who is taking a break from the series to recover from illness.

A delighted Rossi said: "It was a perfect weekend and thanks to all the fans because it was a very important victory for me."

Lorenzo admitted he had been second best to his team-mate, as he said: "He was the number one this weekend because he is the fastest."

Pedrosa was quickest off the start line ahead of Elias and Rossi as the drama unfolded behind them.

Lorenzo managed to stay on his bike despite being hit in the second corner by Alex De Angelis whose Gresini Honda wiped both Colin Edwards (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha) and Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) out of the race.

Rossi moved up from third to take the lead on lap eight of 28 and Lorenzo was up to second by half-distance.

Lorenzo was never able to close the gap enough on Rossi to challenge for the lead as Pedrosa finished a lonely third as his Honda appeared to run out of fuel on the slow-down lap.

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Rossi’s Final Challenge?

Rossi’s Final Challenge?

"My dream is to end my career with Yamaha," said a buoyant Valentino Rossi just two seasons ago, yet if rumours in the media are to be believed from the past week, the eight times world champion could be ready to make a dramatic and shock switch to Italian manufacturer Ducati when his current deal runs out at the end of 2010.

Valentino stunned the world at the end of the 2003 season with the shock announcement that after four successful seasons with Honda he was leaving to join arch rivals Yamaha. It was a move which re-ignited the fuse on the championship, as Rossi battled valiantly against his foes on what was considered inferior machinery and won.

The journey experienced by the Yamaha factory since 2004 has been very varied, with a mixture or highs and lows, joy and pain, the collaboration has seen the pair secure three premier class titles in the five years they have been together, matching Rossi’s title haul at Honda.

Yamaha have spent vast sums of money developing the various evolutions of the M1 motorcycle with the help and technical input from Valentino Rossi, analysing and perfecting the performance of the motorcycle to the point where it is now considered the best bike in the paddock. Which begs the question, why would Valentino Rossi want to leave?

To fully understand any rational reasoning behind that question, we need to take a look at why Rossi decided to leave his former employer Honda. At the end of 2003, Rossi decided that his own accomplishments were being overshadowed by the company. The RC211V had managed to dominant the series since its inception to the premier class and while other teams attempted to chase Rossi down utilising 500cc two strokes or other manufacturers four stroke 990cc equipment, Rossi felt that Honda undervalued his input into the project.

It was mentioned during the 500cc era that the bikes performance amassed to about 20% of the final race outcome, while the rider made up the other 80%. Although in the current era that figure may be closer to 50/50, it was clear that Valentino felt his own input and performance at Honda had being short changed and belittled.

It led to the classic break-up between the two parties, with Honda vowing to crush their former employee in the following season. Rossi and his team moved to Yamaha and worked tirelessly over the winter to develop the M1 into a competitive and competent package capable of winning the title, which he did in 2004 & 2005.

After two seasons without winning the premier class title and with a catalogue of mechanical malfunctions, Yamaha burst back to the front in 2008 with their third evolution of the 800cc prototype M1. It enabled Rossi to battle consistently with Ducati’s Casey Stoner and Honda’s Dani Pedrosa making for a thrilling Championship, which Valentino eventually clinched at Motegi.

However, Yamaha had started to invest in their future with the signing of double 250cc champion, Jorge Lorenzo, which caused a small amount of friction within the team. A dividing wall was initially constructed at the start of 2008 because the two riders were on different makes of tyre. However, the wall has remained intact in 2009 despite the one make tyre regulation and it appears that the camps are drifting apart.

Yamaha has also investing in the progress of another multiple champion in the form of current World Superbike Championship leader, Ben Spies. It has been widely suggested that Ben may become part of the Yamaha satellite project in 2010 with the option of being groomed for a factory seat in the future. It may be the case that with the company investing and courting all this new talent that Valentino is once again feeling a bit underappreciated.

It is important to remember that in the five years that Valentino has been with Yamaha, he is one of only two riders to win a race on their machinery, the only other rider being Jorge. When Rossi joined in 2004 Yamaha hadn’t won a race for over a year. Valentino and his team could rightly feel that they have contributed their 50% and have helped to make the motorcycle the pick of the paddock in the present day.

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Valentino Rossi: I've had to raise my game

Valentino Rossi: I've had to raise my game 






Valentino Rossi says he is riding better now than when he won his first MotoGP titles, and has had to dig deeper than ever to beat his current opposition.

The reigning champion - who currently holds a 30-point lead in this year's championship race - said the emergence of Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo had forced him to raise his game.

"I think this year the level is incredible," Rossi told AUTOSPORT.com in an exclusive interview.

"It is very high - especially the first four. First four are potentially world champion level. Because me, Lorenzo, Stoner and Pedrosa have enough performance in the throttle and the head to win the MotoGP championship.

"Also the bikes are very fast - Yamaha, Honda and Ducati are very strong - so this creates a high level of championship."

He said Stoner's title-winning performance in 2007 and the challenge from Lorenzo at Yamaha this year in particular had spurred him on to new heights.

"It is a great, great motivation for trying to improve," said Rossi. "Like with Stoner in 2007 and '08 I have to make a step. I have to make a clear improvement and to make an improvement at 29 years of age you have to work and struggle a lot – and make something more than in the past.

"And this year it is the same with Lorenzo. He is also my team-mate, with the same bike, so it means more concentration, more time dedicated to try and win. It is difficult, it is bad when you lose, but it is a lot, lot more exciting when you are able to win."

Rossi also thinks the races are more physically demanding now than when he won his first MotoGP titles with Honda in the early 2000s.

"Usually you don't make all the race at 100 per cent. Especially in those years, it was more about tactics, battle and afterwards push," he said.

"So if you make all the race at 100 per cent you crash for sure. But now the races change a lot. The rhythm is very fast from the beginning, from the first lap. The start is important, because with these bikes it has become more difficult to overtake. So now is very close to staying at 100 per cent for all the race."



Valentino Rossi is really riding his best now?


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Home News News by Country Top News Sport World Oddly Enough Blogs Investing AlertNet Humanitarian News Do More With Reuters RSS Professional Products Financial Media Support Partner Services Career Centre About Thomson Reuters Rossi says talked with Ferrari about Monza

MILAN (Reuters) - Valentino Rossi talked with Ferrari about racing in the team's second car at next weekend's Formula One Italian Grand Prix but decided against it, the MotoGP world champion has said.

"I talked with Ferrari about racing at Monza. But without testing... it would not have been logical," he told Saturday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

Ferrari instead opted for Force India's Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella, who will race for the world champions for the remainder of the season.

He replaces Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer, who struggled in his two races after coming in for the injured Felipe Massa.

Badoer only filled in because original choice Michael Schumacher had to abort his comeback plans because of an injury to his neck, which needs to be strong to cope with F1 G-forces.

Formula One teams are not allowed to test their current cars during the season.

"We already decided that to enter Formula One without testing is more risky than fun. You can't go there and do everything to understand the car in three days," Rossi said.

"I also don't know if I could have finished the race with my neck. And also, because we're fighting for the MotoGP championship, the race at Monza would definitely have been a big stress and it's better to stay in MotoGP."

Rossi, Italy's best-paid sportsperson, has tested for Ferrari in the past and was close to joining them at the end of 2006 but decided to stick to two wheels.

He considered being the test driver for 2007 and then racing in 2008 but said his Ferrari dream was over for good after opting to stay in MotoGP.

The 30-year-old has though expressed interest in a career in rallying.

Rossi shocked his Yamaha MotoGP team on Friday by casting doubt on his long-term future after they announced last week that Jorge Lorenzo will be his team mate again next season.

The Spaniard is Rossi's main rival for this year's title.

"I don't know (if I'll change team). I have a year of my contract still to run and then I'll decide what to do," he said after clocking the fastest time in Friday's practice for Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix.

"The end of this season and all of the next one risk becoming a torment."

Ferrari, a disappointing third in the constructors' standings with five races left, are hoping to change Formula One rules and race three cars next season instead of two.

Team boss Stefano Domenicali said last month that Schumacher could race a third car while Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said Fisichella would be the ideal choice given he will be the team's reserve driver next term.

With Rossi's future unclear, he could become a candidate.

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