Elias stands his ground against Rossi
Monday, 23 April 2007
Following Toni Elias' successful Grand Prix of Turkey, the Spanish Honda Gresini rider was not apologising after five-time former World Champion Valentino Rossi accused him of taking a dangerous racing line.
Following Toni Elias' successful Grand Prix of Turkey, the Spanish Honda Gresini rider was not apologising after five-time former World Champion Valentino Rossi accused him of taking a dangerous racing line, as the pair did battle at Istanbul Park.
Elias' second place finish in Turkey saw him mount the podium for just the second time in his MotoGP career, and he refused to yield when told of Rossi's criticism commenting: "Races are like this and I don't think I did anything wrong. I don't know, if he's angry what can I do?" It is not the first time the pair have tussled and is unlikely to be the last, Elias of course beating The Doctor to the line by 0.002s in Portugal in the penultimate Grand Prix of last season - to gain his only premier class victory to date, and deal a massive blow to Rossi's 2006 World Championship efforts. MotoGP racing often produces intriguing personal duels and if Rossi and the 24 year-old Elias and close to each other at the next Grand Prix of the season in China on 6th May it should certainly make for interesting viewing.
