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MOTOGP: Rossi Scores Sixth Straight Italian GP Win
Written by: Colin Young   
06/02/2007
Mugello, Italy
 
FIAT Yamaha Team's Valentino Rossi (Photo: Yamaha Racing) ยป More Photos

Valentino Rossi extended his domination of his home race with a heroic performance before 85,000 adoring fans at Mugello today. For the sixth consecutive year Rossi won the Italian Grand Prix, an emotional victory that Rossi dedicated to his fans.

"This win is for all my fans who give me so much power at this track, it's impossible to find the words for this," said Rossi after his emotional triumph in the 23 lap race.

Rossi fought back from a poor start which saw him drop to eighth place before surging to the lead on lap nine to pull out a three-second margin over Honda rival Dani Pedrosa in second place.

Brazilian veteran Alex Barros completed the podium with a strong finish to just beat fellow Ducati rider Casey Stoner in a tight battle. Stoner, who has won three out of six races this season, failed by just a couple of bike lengths to draft past Barros on the long run to the finish line.

Suzuki's John Hopkins was the first American to finish, his fifth-place another impressive effort in a race run sunny and warm conditions, after two days of rain and unpredictable weather.

"It was a busy race but enjoyable, especially the early dogfight with Valentino," Hopkins said. "I busted
my butt to stay with the lead group but Rossi, Pedrosa, and Stoner made a break."

Overall it was not a classic Mugello race with Rossi controlling his winning gap once he hit the lead. But the opening seven laps were breathtaking as Stoner, Pedrosa and Loris Capirossi took turns in the lead with Rossi charging through the high-speed traffic.

"At the start I let the clutch out too fast and pulled a wheelie off the line and I was eighth," Rossi said. "Now MotoGP is so close that one small mistake and you are behind. But after three laps I found my rhythm and I was able to fight for the lead.

"Everyone was pushing 100% and it was great fun in those first few laps. Mugello is a magical track and this victory gives me a lot of confidence for the coming races."

Stoner's fourth place means he retains the lead in the world championship points although Rossi closed the gap by 11 points at Mugello. Six races into the 18-race campaign and Stoner is on 115 points, now nine ahead of Rossi on 106 with Pedrosa third on 82.

Marco Melandri on 68 and Chris Vermeulen on 63 complete the top five with defending world champion, American Nicky Hayden, drifting further behind to be 11th on 36 points.
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