Rossi must check Biaggi charge at Donington
Rossi must check Biaggi charge at Donington
Reuters, London
World champion Valentino Rossi must check the resurgent Max
Biaggi at the British Grand Prix at Donington Park on Sunday if
he is to retain his slender lead in the MotoGP championship.
The Italian pair have long enjoyed a fierce rivalry and
although the days are gone when it spilled over into off-track
brawling, as happened at Barcelona in 2001, Rossi's switch to
Yamaha this season has added a little more spice.
Biaggi is now riding the Honda RCV on which Rossi ran away
with last year's title and his win in Germany last week left him
just a point adrift of his compatriot in the standings with Sete
Gibernau of Spain a further 12 points back.
"At the halfway stage of the season there's only one point
between me and Biaggi," said Rossi. "...the championship is very
close and I think it will go to the last race of the season at
Valencia."
Donington is one of Rossi's favorite tracks and he has crossed
the line first every time he has finished a race there, although
last year he was stripped of the win after being penalized for
overtaking under yellow flags.
The 2.5 mile (4.023 km) track has two distinct parts, a fast-
flowing first half leading into the slowest section of track on
the championship circuit, dubbed the "Car Park".
"I think Yamaha will have an advantage in the fast part as our
bike is more agile, it's easier to change direction with than the
Honda," said Rossi.
"Then later the braking stability and acceleration of the
Honda could have an advantage. It will be an interesting race."
Biaggi, who was the beneficiary of Rossi's post-race
punishment at Donington Park last year, started this season
complaining that Honda was favoring its factory team.
"This championship is living up to all expectations and is as
hard-fought as ever," said the 32-year-old.
"Donington is a track I like quite a bit, but to be fair all
the tracks are fantastic when you manage to get the bike working
as you want it to."
Catalan Gibernau will be the most anxious for a good result
after mistakes in the last two races robbed him of the
championship lead and stalled his title challenge.