A win for Valentino Rossi at the Grand Prix of Japan has allowed Rossi to clinch his sixth MotoGP World championship title.
“Scusate il ritardo” or in English “sorry for the delay” was the phrase written on his t-shirt referring to the two years wait to regain the Championship title.
Valentino Rossi has said about his new Championship title: “I think it’s difficult to say, but maybe this is even better than the first Championship with Yamaha in 2004.
In 2004 I arrived after three championships in a row; the change was very big and no one expected me to win then, not even us to be honest! But this year is great too because I didn’t start as the number one favourite after losing for two years.
The taste of this is something special.
”About the technical changes he said: “The decision to change to Bridgestone tyres, which I took together with Jeremy, my team and all the crew, was very important, as were the changes to the bike because the first 800cc M1 last year was not competitive enough.
We spoke a lot during last season and I remember a strange meeting in Valencia last year, me with a broken hand, speaking with Furusawa about 2008.
From then we started to work on the improvements for this season.
”Rossi about Stoner: “I think Stoner next year will be back stronger again, so maybe he is the hardest rival I have ever had, more than Gibernau and all the others I fought against in the past.
Last year I was sorry that after so many successful years, some people thought Valentino was finished and Casey was the new Valentino.
As I said, until I stop riding a bike, my objective will always be to win.
I like this life and I always try to do my best in it.
”Casey Stoner finished second, giving his reaction: “He’s a worthy champion– eight world titles show that- and I want to congratulate him for that.
I’m just disappointed that we made two mistakes in the mid-point of the season that allowed him to open up such big advantage.
”Ducati MotoGP Project Director Livio Suppo said: “Casey had a great race today but when Valentino’s in the form he was in today there’s not much you can do about it.
Our congratulations go to him and to Yamaha for a title they truly deserve.
”Dani Pedrosa, who came third, has said: “Congratulations to Valentino for his great season, he deserves the championship for his great consistency over the year.
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