Valentino Rossi wins Assen, creates history
By
Abhishek Mukherjee
ASSEN, The Netherlands : Eight time world champion Rossi created history as he won his 100th race in The Netherlands on July 28, ahead of team-mate Lorenzo and Casey Stoner to take an overall lead of seven points in the driver’s championships.
The start, however, was not what Rossi would have liked - Stoner seized the initiative from the off as he took the lead, while Lorenzo was stuck in sixth after the first of the 26 laps despite starting from third.
A lap later, Rossi wrestled control back from his Australian rival and pulled away - the race result as good as settled. However, Lorenzo fought his way up the field and was challenging Rossi with seven laps remaining while Stoner was back in third.
The major casualty of the race was Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who crashed out with 22 laps remaining as he overdid it on a corner.
Rossi was overjoyed with the win. “I am so happy. I felt good on the first lap and knowing that Lorenzo is difficult to beat I put my foot down to establish as big an advantage as possible over him. It gives me great pleasure to record this victory. This is a great moment for me,” the Italian said.
Rossi unfurled a 10 metre long banner recording all his previous 99 successes, after his win.
“I must thank everybody - my team and my fans. I would like to also thank my friends and my family, in fact everybody that has inspired me and kept me focussed,” the Champion added.
Rossi is the second man after Agostini to have a 100 wins under his belt and needs 22 more victories to beat his record.
Japanese Hiroshi Aoyama won the 250cc category earlier. Hector Barbera and Marco Simoncelli came second and third, respectively.Aoyama, after the win, takes overall lead in the driver’s championships.
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