CN
III IN THE PADDOCK
P138
BY MICHAEL SCOTT
I
t's been a theme of grand
prix racing for more than 10
years. What happens when
Valentino Rossi goes?
As we are seeing with ever
greater intensity, Rossi doesn't
go. During that long spell of
wondering and waiting, on
the other hand, he just keeps
going. Or keeps coming back.
Evergreen, in spite of being
predominately yellow.
Just as well, really, because
it has taken that full decade for
Dorna to put in places changes
designed to deal with the
inevitable slump of his eventual
departure. Fairer, cheaper rac-
ing is the goal. As if that could
make up for his absence. Es-
pecially if he leaves while still
at the top, the position he has
so emphatically regained in the
first third of this season.
Rossi expects to stay on for
next year at least. That means
he'll be there when the main in-
gredients of Dorna's post-Rossi
recipe are finally assembled on
the chopping board.
Along with his nine cham-
pionships and 110 Grand Prix
wins, the giant from Tavullia's
reign has encompassed the full
journey of the premier class,
from 500 two-strokes (he was
of course the final 500 cham-
pion) to the all-classes all-four-
stroke championship of today,
ROSSI'S HAND ON HISTORY
