MotoGP News
Date:
29/June/2013
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi turned back the clock with his
first victory in over two years at Assen on Saturday.
Rossi took seven titles and averaged seven wins a season
from 2000-2011, but then made the ill-fated switch from Yamaha to Ducati.
The unique characteristics of the Italian machine flummoxed
even Rossi, who cut his losses and returned to Yamaha this year, admitting his
first task was to discover if he was still a top rider.
Rossi had taken just one podium from the first six races, but
found a cure for his main braking weakness during recent tests in Spain.
When team-mate and reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo broke his
collarbone at Assen on Thursday, Rossi knew he had to step up and lead the
Yamaha challenge this weekend.
Starting fourth on the grid, Rossi overtook Honda’s World
Championship leader Dani Pedrosa for the lead on lap 6 of 26 and went on to
claim a record 80th premier-class win by 2.2s over Pedrosa’s rookie
team-mate Marc Marquez.
It was Rossi’s first win since the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix
and the relief was obvious.
“I cannot believe it! It's been a long time since Sepang
2010 and I didn't know if I could win again. It’s been a tough period but I
never gave up. This is my passion and I love to race motorcycles
“Today was something special. It is one of the best
victories in my career. I’m so happy because I won a real race where all my
opponents were very strong and very fast, apart from Jorge with his injury.
“I had a good feeling, I could overtake on braking and I
felt good on the bike. We have made a step with the bike, I can ride in a
better way so we have to try and stay with the top guys every weekend.”
Rossi - joined on the podium by Marquez and debut pole
sitter Cal Crutchlow - also paid tribute to a brave performance by Lorenzo. The
Spaniard, riding just one day after shoulder surgery, defied his injuries to claim
an ‘incredible’ fifth place.
“Jorge rode an incredible race, we have to say a special
congratulations because he had great courage to do this and also he made an
important step for his Championship,” said Rossi.
Rossi remains fifth in the World Championship, which Pedrosa
leads by nine points from Lorenzo. Early leader Pedrosa dropped back to fourth
in the race, thus missing out on a golden opportunity to gain big points on
Lorenzo.
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