Local hero Rossi wins again

Hayden shares points lead
Valentino Rossi (Camel Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) secured a crucial victory in sensational style at Mugello yesterday afternoon, winning a titanic battle with Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici) and Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda Team RC211V- Michelin) to claw back valuable World Championship points after a run of ill luck.
Rossi beat Capirossi by half a second to secure his fifth consecutive home-race success, Hayden another two tenths back in third spot. Michelin riders filled seven of the first nine finishing positions with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC211V-Michelin) taking fourth place, just two seconds behind the winner, and Marco Melandri (Fortuna Honda RC211V-Michelin) finishing sixth, another second behind Pedrosa.

With six of 17 rounds done, Hayden shares the championship points lead with Capirossi on 99 points while Rossi sits in fifth spot, 34 points down on the leaders.

"That was a great race, very entertaining for everyone and faster than last year's by a whisker," said Nicolas Goubert, Michelin's director of motorcycle racing.
"We also had strength in depth with seven of the top nine riders using our tyres. Valentino's pace was very consistent, plus he had enough grip to make the difference over the last lap. He rode a great race and it was good to see Nicky up front again, he's strong everywhere this year. Valentino chose different tyres from our other top finishers but he chose what was right for his bike and for his riding style."

"The Hondas also seemed very well suited to their tyres choices, Kenny Roberts Junior (Team Roberts KR211V-Michelin) enjoying an excellent ride in front of many factory bikes. It was also nice to see that another great Italian rider, Max (Biaggi, Repsol Honda RC211V-Michelin), still holds the lap record from last year!" concluded Nicolas Goubert.