Victory puts Rossi with best of all time, says Doohan

FIVE-TIME 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan labelled Valentino Rossi as good as any rider in history after the Italian's record-breaking win at the Indianapolis MotoGP yesterday.

Rossi sped within a point of an eighth world title, which is a formality after the rain-shortened race in Indiana, where he surpassed compatriot Giacomo Agostini's record of 68 victories in the top category.
"People sometimes ask who is the greatest rider of all time? It's hard to say because every era is different," said Doohan, who sits third on the all-time list with 54.
"That said, Valentino is probably as good as there has ever been, if not the best.
"I'm sure he will win many more races, if he stays fit, and I'm looking forward to seeing him go head-to-head with Casey Stoner and the others at Phillip Island in a few weeks."
Rossi was declared the winner after 20 laps when the race, the first at the legendary Brickyard since 1909, was red-flagged as rain and gale-force winds, a legacy of Hurricane Ike, swept the circuit.
Rossi's 69th victory in the top category handed him an 87-point lead from defending champion Stoner — who was fourth — and, with four races left, he can clinch the 2008 championship just by picking up a point at Motegi in Japan in two weeks.
Rossi was pleased to grab two slices of motorcycling history. "To win the first race here at Indianapolis is a great emotion and to beat Agostini's record is also incredible. Now I hope my record will stand for 30 years like his," Rossi said.
Doohan said Rossi's winning strike-rate was impressive. "To win as many races as he has in less than nine seasons shows how consistent he has been, and that's his strength, as well as his ability," he said.

That's something we all knew for a long time!!!!


Valé is the king of MotoGP

We needed someboedy offficial to confirm and coming from a mouth of Doohan
i think we can be satisfied. I just wish all Vale did this seasson is good enough for Yamaha bosses to try harder to give him what he wants of bike.

Not like at the start of the seasson when they wanted to cut his salary ....

the red, big part is my favourite

are you serious?
didn't they realize how important rossi is for their two-wheel department and brand image in general? underestimating such a patrimony is heavy.

yeah.. who said thats!!!! hahaha... you know what.. motogp doesn't more interested when rossi is sign out from the race..

Noup they tought Vale can't win anymore..

Greta to hear the words from such a big moto gp icon. Vale the greatest of all time! Cant wait to Motegi and then the Island so i can celebrate while i am there

so if he gets the point he needs at Motegi, do they award the Championship at PI?
i havent been around for one of these

I know this since 2002!!!!

Thanks Angela!

Gi

what do you guys think other ex-riders like Mick....what they think abt Vale...for example Mick's comments....sounds funny to me...