2008 MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was for once a runner-up this past weekend, taking second place in the annual Monza Rally event. Behind the wheel of a Ford Focus and ably assisted by regular navigator Carlo Cassina, the Italian lost out to the combination of Rinaldo Capello and Luigi Pirollo in the star-studded car contest.
The MotoGP titlist was by far the most successful two-wheel competitor to take part in the event, with 250cc World Champion Marco Simoncelli the second highest placing in 27th. Taking to the track after a season in the Fiat Yamaha garage, Roberto and Davide Brivio were just behind Simoncelli.
Rossi, who was looking for a hat-trick of wins after triumphing in the two previous editions of the Monza Rally, won his sixth MotoGP crown in 2008.
“I would settle for winning the World Championship every year and finishing second here,” Rossi said.
The Italian also remarked on the decisions of Formula One great Michael Schumacher and rally champion Sebastien Loeb to try out bikes.
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