"Rossi storms home in Indy"

Italian Valentino Rossi moved to within one point of eighth world title when she won a rain-shortened Indianapolis MotoGP on Sunday.







Rossi was declared the winner after 20 laps when the race, the first at the legendary Brickyard since 1909, was marked in red as heavy rain and galeforce winds, a legacy of Hurricane Ike, swept the circuit.

Americas's Nicky Hayden, Honda, was second with Spain Jorge Lorenzo Rossi's team in third place.

It's world championship leader Rossi wins his seventh of the season and fourth in a row.

It was also his 69th victory in the highest category and a 87-point lead over defending champion Casey Stoner of Australia, with only four races left is the title of 2008 Clinch collecting only one point at Motegi in Japan two weeks' time.

"These were the worst conditions of my career," said Rossi.

"This is a new runway and a new surface. There was plenty of water and even beer cans blowing across the runway. The wind is not constant and is very strong.

"I was waiting for the red flag because it is dangerous."


Rossi breaks record MotoGP win.



Valentino Rossi wins first career Indy MotoGP, all new sets win record time and is in the brink of eighth world title ... despite a hurricane!

Valentino Rossi broke Giacomo Agostini ever first-class win record by claiming his 69th MotoGP victory in atrocious weather conditions at the inaugural Grand Prix in Indianapolis on Sunday.

The remnants of Hurricane Ike has been abuse of the circuit since lunchtime, when heavy rains and winds success of Indiana, forcing the race direction to postpone the earlier career of 250.

However, a break in the storm allowed the MotoGP race to start in his time, but in soaking wet track, and not have time for torrential rains and strong gusts of winds back ...

Rossi dropped from pole to fourth at the beginning of the scheduled 28 laps, then surrendered to another place Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. Later, Rossi found his rhythm and his way back past reigning world champion, Casey Stoner, Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso sit at home second behind Nicky Hayden hero of the sixth round.

Overcoming Hayden was not easy and Rossi took eight laps to finally overcome the late braking americas, whose Repsol Honda seems to have the advantage over Rossi's M1 along the straight.

"It was an incredible race and a great battle with Nicky," said Rossi. "I always enjoy racing with Nicky and was like three, four years ago, when we did a lot of great battles.

"Nicky grew up very close to me, because his first year [in MotoGP] was like my team mate at Honda. I remember him coming the first time since the U.S. and was very desperate. I say Nicky, Nicky, quiet Quiet! "Smiled Rossi. "It's a little different here compared with the U.S.. But he is always strong and difficult to overcome because it is very hard braking.

"So we were very close together for many laps. Nicky is very broad, very aggressive but also very clean. So I enjoyed the fight. Then when I got in front of him, I was a little faster."

But Hurricane Ike was not completed with Indianapolis and on lap 16 of 28 began to rain heavily, once again, accompanied by strong gusts of wind that made riding dangerous - even for a seven time world champion.

"I think these are the worst conditions under which I run in my career," said Rossi. "It started to rain strong, so the amount of water rose to the track and everything became dark as at night, but the biggest problem was the wind. Cans of beer and bags [were blown] in front of the motorbike. was very, very bad, especially because the wind was so inconsistent and very strong.

"You never knew what would happen," he continued. "Along the line he has used all the width from left to right just trying to go straight! Moreover, the departure of nine in turn, I had a wheelie and got blown a little wide, crossed the line White lost control of the bicycle. I was very fortunate.

"Seriously, I think I must raise my hand [to try to stop the race], but I was in front and could see that my advantage was rising. So I try to go every lap and I wait for the red flag, red flag, and after reaching the red flag I think it's the right decision, because this type of racing is too dangerous. "

The race was marked in red-after 20 laps and, after ten minutes of confusion as to whether there would be a restart - during which a airfence, among other things, was seen blowing in the air - Rossi was confirmed as the first MotoGP winner at the Brickyard.

"In my opinion, there is no way to restart it, especially because the wind was still very strong," said Rossi. "To restart for eight laps, with all pilots together in these conditions is like when you put a bullet in the gun and make it", trrrrr, "like this. It's dangerous, I think it was the right decision."

Rossi was confirmed as winning his fourth Grand Prix in a row and the first motorcycle race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1909.

"This is fantastic because it has been a long time since he won in the rain and even longer since he won four in a row!" Valentino smiled, who dedicated victory to his grandfather Darius, who died on Sunday at age 82. "To win the first [MotoGP] career here in Indianapolis is a great thrill. I am the first motorcycle winner here in 100 years. It's pretty special. I love the track, and I think that in the coming years we can do even better."

Agostini's record of 68 wins first class was undefeated for over 30 years - and Rossi's hopes that his name will remain on the top just as long.

"To beat the record Agostini is incredible. 69 is a big number because it means a long time at the top, but I want to try to make a better," he said. "I do not mean [Agostini] was my hero because I do not remember Aug career, just 20 years later on television, but he was the No. 1 - well, some people say it's Agostini, Mike Hailwood some people say .

"But anyway, Ago has some other records as 122 victories and, above all, 15 world championships that perhaps it is impossible for me, but to beat him in the number of career victories in the first class is great. I hope my remains for another 30 years! "

Of more immediate concern for Rossi is their 87 point lead over nearest title rival Stoner, who finished fourth on Sunday, meaning that the doctor can win his sixth MotoGP title - and first since 2005 - by finishing fourth or higher Next time in Motegi.

"We now have a 87-point advantage, and we have the first match point at Motegi in two weeks. In 2005, my starting point in Motegi for the championship, but unfortunately I made a mistake and capitalize Melandri and accident. Therefore, I have a bad memory from this, "said Rossi. "But this time I am able to finish behind Stoner and lose 11 points. It is therefore important and also because we lose the championship last year at Motegi. Therefore, it is good, and we will try safely."

Meanwhile, on Thursday during pre-event press conference, Rossi had supported Colin Edwards' idea of the Indy MotoGP winner running naked along the main straight - but the reality Rossi came closest to when he was publicly disrobing gave his jacket to a soaking wet podium girl.

"That idea was Colin, I remember!" he smiled. "Then on Friday night to tell me that it might be better for everyone if I win my umbrella girl naked in the run instead ..."