Rossi secures MotoGP pole at San Marino

[rickaren]

Rossi secures MotoGP pole at San Marino


Sept 5, 2009



The eight-time world champion, who was born in nearby Tavullia and won the 2008 round on his local circuit, was fastest in every session of the weekend, but came under pressure in the final qualifying session.

Spain's Dani Pedrosa powered his Honda to the fastest time in the closing moments of the battle for pole, only for Rossi to turn on the style with his final lap.

His time of one minute 34.338 seconds gave him pole for the sixth time this season and 57th of his career, with Pedrosa claiming second spot just 0.222 seconds behind.

Rossi's Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo claimed third.

Lorenzo is second in this year's title race, 25 points behind Rossi, and is bidding to keep up the pressure on the Italian maestro."Tomorrow, physical form will count for a lot. Unfortunately, we didn't have the time to put on a soft tire but we'll be ready for the race," he told reporters.

Rossi, who saw his lead in the title race cut as he slid off in the U.S. round at Indianapolis which was won by Lorenzo, is desperate to pile on the points on Sunday.

"The race is tomorrow and I hope to see crowds in the stands at Misano," he said.

With former world champion Casey Stoner still sidelined with a mystery virus, Toni Elias of Spain on a Gresini Honda was fourth best ahead of American pair Colin Edwards and former world champon Nicky Hayden, who were fifth and sixth.
LINK: Rossi secures MotoGP pole at San Marino - CNN.com

[rickaren]

Rossi wins San Marino GP to extend MotoGP lead


MISANO, Italy (AP) — Valentino Rossi won the San Marino Grand Prix for the second consecutive year Sunday and extended his lead atop the MotoGP standings to 30 points over Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo, who crossed second.

Rossi clocked 44 minutes, 32.882 seconds at the Misano track, Lorenzo was 2.416 seconds behind and Honda's Dani Pedrosa was a distant third, 12.4 seconds back.

Rossi holds a 237-207 lead over Lorenzo in the standings with four races remaining.

"I was in front every day this weekend so this can be considered a perfect weekend," said Rossi, who started the race from pole position. "This was a good showing of strength after Indianapolis. It was important to win here because there is a month before the next race."

Last weekend in the United States, Rossi failed to finish a race for the first time in two years and could only watch helplessly as Lorenzo won.

It was the sixth win this season for Rossi, the six-time world champion.

Hector Barbera took the 250cc title and fellow Spaniard Julian Simon won the 125cc race.

LINK:Rossi wins San Marino GP to extend MotoGP lead - USATODAY.com

[rickaren]

* Born: 16 February 1979
* Birthplace: Urbino, Italy
* Best Known As: "The Doctor," Italian MotoGP World Champion 2001-2005

Italian motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi won seven World Championships in Grand Prix racing by the time he was 26 years old, cementing his place as one of the sport's heroes. Rossi is the son of 1970s racer Graziano Rossi, and he began racing as a teenager, first with karts, then with minimotos (minibikes). In his second season racing in the Grand Prix 125cc class, he won his first World Championship (1997). Rossi moved up to the 250cc class and, in his second season, won the World Championship in 1999. He then moved up to the 500cc class, racing for Honda, and won the World Championship in 2001. Since then he has won the revised MotoGP World Championship in 2002 and 2003 with Honda, and in 2004 and 2005 with Yamaha. Charismatic, cocky and talented, he is a crowd favorite who went from being known as a clownish upstart to being dubbed "The Doctor" for his calculated and precise way of out-racing opponents.

Rossi wears the number 46 when he races, the same number his father used.

Much more Here:Valentino Rossi: Biography from Answers.com