Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128158
World Championship Road Racing Series Round 5: Italian Grand Prix _totlllk Valentino (4eJ, T Ubwa Carto8 Checa (IddcIen). BIaggI CIMIca ..... legitimately In the hunt for the first time all _ , flnlel• • -..ell and four1h, ....pectIyeIJ. on their upclatecl Mh. ~y . . . . . . . . (3) ...... at 111, pertlallr hkkIen) STORY BY MICHAEL SCOTT PHOTOS By GOLD £, GOOSE M(JGELW, ITALY, J(JNE 2 our wins in five races has obviously boosted Rossi's confidence. Where last year he cut back on his post-race theatricals, he brought them back with a vengeance in his home round in Italy. The race was hard enough, in blazing 85-degree heat and under constant pressure from Max Biaggi's hugely improved Marlboro Yamaha, the red bike leading for six out of 23 laps of the swooping and magnificent 3.25-mile Tuscan circuit. But Rossi's resumption of the lead, with 12 laps remaining, was achieved without apparent difficulty on a clearly faster bike, and though the Repsol Honda rider looked tired, he was not too tired to go through with a carefully contrived performance, reminiscent of his dominant days in the 125cc and 250cc classes. After he had taken the checkered flag, 2.4-seconds ahead of Biaggi, he feigned surprise as two uniformed Polizia stepped out onto the track in front of him. Pulling to a stop, he remonstrated with the traffic officers, to the delight of the 65,000strong crowd, most of whom have come to adore Valentino. "It was a great race," he said afterward. "Only spoiled by the traffic police. They said they had caught me on their radar, speeding. When I told them who I am, they let me off. But then they booked me because my bike did not have a registration plate." The joking followed tension in the morning, when Rossi crashed during pre-race warm-up. Where McCoy might break a leg, or another rider suffer concussion, the ultra-lucky Italian once again got up and walked away. But it proved the pressure he is under, as the Yamahas draw closer to the so-far-dominant V5 Honda. "I learned a lesson," he said. "After that, I tried to ride the bike more sweetly." And the playing to the gallery might have had consequences for Valentino as well, after the by-now almost demented fans invaded the track. Rossi managed to get back to the pits unscathed after just clipping one of the crowd, but Ukawa suffered Regis Laconl (55) and the factory Aprilia were another team that made huge strides. Laconl was able to run closer to the front than he has all year after qualifying an Impressive fifth. Here, he leads Tetsuya Harada (31) and Norlck Abe (6). 20 JUNE 12, 2002' cue I e n e vv • Checa (7) took provisional pole on Friday but wasn't able to Improve on the time In final qualifying. Come race time. however, he was able to battle with Ukawa's (11) faster Honda throughout the race. fairing damaged after hitting a pedestrian and Checa also had a collision, while Abe was actually brought off his bike, saying later: "They tried to take my helmet." There are serious implications, of course, but since the circwt had complied with requests last year, erecting a $150,000, four-meter perimeter fence around the whole circuit, no action would be taken, according to a Dorna spokesman, who added: "We will have to look at other solutions." The fifth round of the MotoGP championship was a landmark race, in that the new 990cc four-strokes broke the 200-mph barrier - first the Aprilia, and then third-placed Repsol Honda teammate Ukawa in practice,