Valentino Rossi names his greatest race

MotoGP News
Date: 15/July/2011

MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi has selected his victory over Casey Stoner at the 2008 US Grand Prix as his best moment in grand prix racing.

Rossi, a nine-time world champion, will make his 250th grand prix start this Sunday in Germany, having made his debut in the 125cc class back in 1996.

The Italian has won 105 races since, including a record 79 in the premier-class, but it is the shock Laguna Seca win that stands out most.

That event saw Rossi - then a Yamaha rider - smother world champion Stoner's huge practice advantage by lunging for the lead at every opportunity.

The thrilling contest came to a premature end when a frustrated Stoner fell from his Ducati with eight laps to go, rejoining to finish a distant second.

An angry Stoner felt some of Rossi's moves were over the limit, but as a spectacle it remains one of the most exciting races of the 800cc era.

"I have a lot of memorable wins. It is always difficult to decide between Welkom 2004 and Laguna 2008," explained Rossi, who was sitting next to Stoner as he spoke.

"But I will say Laguna 2008 because it is closer and I remember it better."

That Laguna victory proved to be a turning point in the 2008 championship and further falls for Stoner, when being chased by Rossi, handed the Italian his first premier-class title of the 800cc era.

Welkom 2004 saw Rossi take a close win over Max Biaggi on his Yamaha debut.