Rossi hails “best ever” title
Added on Monday, September 29th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | One Comment
Rossi celebrates his eighth world championship.
Valentino Rossi celebrated his world championship in typically flamboyant style on Sunday and hailed his eighth world crown as his best ever.
The Italian secured his sixth premier class championship at Montegi yesterday after another superb ride to wrap up the title with three rounds of the season remaining to write his name in the history books.
And the 29-year-old, who also celebrated 70th premier class race win in Japan, claimed that this year’s title was the best yet after ending a two-year spell without the championship.
“It’s a great victory and a great achievement,” said Rossi. “I think it’s at the same level as the first title in 2004 with Yamaha, maybe even better! This championship has been very long and hard and all of the team and all of Yamaha have worked very well, never giving up for one moment. We have been able to put a great bike onto the track in all conditions and at all circuits, and this has allowed me to ride like this and to win so many races. I am very happy!
“The race was a great battle and I had to ride at 100%, like I have through all through the season! Pedrosa and Stoner today were very strong and it was fun to fight with them like this, I am happy that it was a good race for the fans.
“It was a fantastic feeling to take the title with a win, like I did in 2001 and 2004. I think this is the hardest I have ever had to work to win a world championship and I have to say a huge thank you to Yamaha, my mechanics, the team and everyone involved for working this hard alongside me. Of course I also have to say a special thank you to Bridgestone, they have done a great job with the tyres all season and the decision to be with them has been a big part of our success this season.
“We have lost for two years and I don’t think I was the favourite this season, but we have shown that we are a great team and that we never give up. I am so happy that I have now won three titles with Yamaha because this is how many I won with my last team and I want Yamaha to have the same merit - I am a Yamaha rider and I feel different with Yamaha than with anyone else before - I hope we will have more together! Now I have to get used to being World Champion again!”
Rossi did however turn his attention to the 2009 season and is expecting an even tougher challenge from Stoner and the rest of the paddock next year.
“I think Stoner next year will be back stronger again, so maybe he is the hardest rival I have ever had, more than Gibernau and all the others I fought against in the past. Last year I was sorry that after so many successful years, some people thought Valentino was finished and Casey was the new Valentino. As I said, until I stop riding a bike, my objective will always be to win. I like this life and I always try to do my best in it.
“There are many strong riders but of course I hope that in the future nobody will win like Valentino Rossi! Maybe my brother Luca will be as strong as me…I wanted to take him on my bike on the celebration lap, but they did not allow it. Maybe I will wait for him to be a MotoGP rider before quitting, then I will beat him in the first year, and then I will stop riding!
One Comment
dee
October 29th, 2008valentino, u r a great…great…great rider. U r a great rider in a history. Keep do the best n never give up. Reach u r highest dream. we will always behind u. ‘the yellow army soldier’