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Written by:
Colin Young
05/18/2008 - 11:46 AM
Le Mans, France
Fiat Yamaha Team's Valentino Rossi (Photo: Yamaha Racing) ยป More Photos
Valentino Rossi went into the record books with a storming victory in the French Grand Prix, his 90th career win in all classes of Grand Prix racing. This puts him level with Spanish legend Angel Nieto who joined Rossi on the track for a special celebration at the end of the race.
Rossi was in complete control as he cruised to a 4.9s victory, leading home a dominating effort from Yamaha with the amazing Jorge Lorenzo second and Texan Colin Edwards third.
But the Yamaha 1-2-3 was overshadowed by Rossi's celebration as he rode pillion passenger on his M1 racer, ridden by Nieto in 'Bravo Valentino-90' black leathers, on the cool down lap.
Nieto, now a television commentator, had scored his final GP win at Le Mans in 1985.
"I had a lot of pressure because Angel was waiting with the special leathers to join me on the bike, so I really needed to win, this is like a dream!" Rossi said. "It was great to ride with him -- 180 victories together on one bike is quite impressive I think."
It was another
Spain's Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) conceded the championship lead by finishing fourth.
Australian rider Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) scored his best result of the season with a confidence boosting fifth place with a flat-out ride over 28 grueling laps.
But the race was a disappointment to fellow Australian Casey Stoner in the defense of his MotoGP world title.
Stoner finished 16th and last, ending a ruin of 22 consecutive points scoring races with Ducati. Stoner led for seven laps and was fighting for third when his bike suffered an engine failure.
Officials had signaled a flag-to-flag race following a mid-race rain shower enabling Stoner to switch to his spare, fitted with rain tires, finishing the race two laps down.
"About two laps before the motor stopped I felt the engine lose drive off the bottom end and then it stopped which ended our race," said Stoner who also suffered from lack front tire grip.
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