On a rain-drenched track at Silverstone, Rossi finished ahead of compatriots Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Dovizioso to replace Jorge Lorenzo on top of the world championships. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON: Italy’s Valentino Rossi moved to the top of the world championship standings with his fourth victory of the season when he triumphed in the British MotoGP at Silverstone on Sunday.
On a rain-drenched track, Rossi, on a Yamaha, finished ahead of two Ducati-riding compatriots, Danilo Petrucci, who picked up the best result of his career, and Andrea Dovizioso.
A master of rainy conditions, Rossi rode a near-perfect race as his main rivals lost ground.
The day’s biggest loser was defending world champion Marc Marquez of Spain, who started off in pole position but was unable to complete the race after falling off his bike eight laps from the finish.
Starting from sixth on the grid, Rossi drew on all the experience and grit which has taken him to nine world titles.
With the race delayed by rain, Rossi, who had already shown himself fastest in the warm-up, took just two laps to work his way into the lead.
He admitted that Marquez’s misfortune allowed him to relax. “When I saw Marc fall, I slowed down a bit,” said Rossi. “I was just hoping that Petrucci doesn’t risk everything to get back on terms.”
Rossi’s Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo of Spain managed to keep Rossi in his sights in the championship race by finishing fourth after the two had started the day level on points.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2015.
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