King Rossi reigns at Indy MotoGP
Added on Monday, September 15th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
King Rossi reigns at Indy MotoGP
Valentino Rossi made history by taking victory in the rain at the first ever MotoGP to be run at the famous Indianapolis circuit. It also marked his 69th premier class win, taking him past the mark set by the previous record holder, Giacomo Agostini.
The entire weekend at the ‘Brickyard’ had been dominated not by any rider, but by Hurricane Ike which has been terrorising the Gulf area of the USA. Friday’s practice was held in appalling conditions and, despite a brief respite in the weather on Saturday, Sunday’s race was under threat of cancellation.
The weather played its hand in the race, with high wind and torrential rain bringing the race to an early end with seven laps still to run. After some confusion the result was called, leaving Rossi on the top step of the podium once again.
The race itself was a great spectacle despite the weather, with American Nicky Hayden returning to MotoGP action after recovering from his foot injury.
Hayden, who will partner Casey Stoner at Ducati for 2009, dominated the early stages of the race, setting the fastest lap of the race after taking the lead on lap two. But Rossi pushed and pushed causing some scary moments for both riders as they battled for the lead. Hayden’s dirt track full sideways sliding style had everyone’s hearts in their mouths as he slid his way around the historic circuit.
Eventually, Rossi was unstoppable and slid past the Repsol Honda to take yet another win for his Fiat Yamaha team, doing so opened up an almost insurmountable 87 point title lead.
A great day for Fiat Yamaha was capped when Rossi’s team mate Jorge Lorenzo took third ahead of reigning champion Casey Stoner who now has only a slim chance of retaining his crown.
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