Rossi finishes runner-up in Monza Rally

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.

Rossi and Cassina also took the second spot in the `Master Show´ special stage, losing to Piero Longhi and Luca Cassol in the head-to-head final.

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´s regular teammate Jorge Lorenzo made his rally debut alongside his own Team Manager, Daniele Romagnoli. Contrary to his expectations of a low placing, Lorenzo came home a respectable 38th, using a Fiat Punto adorned with his soon-to-be-retired number 48.

Alex de Angelis rounded off the list of MotoGP riders making an appearance, finishing 41st.

Besides being an entertaining diversion for Rossi, the Monza Rally also served as preparation for his participation in the Rally GB stage of the World Rally Championship, which takes place on the 4th-7th of December. Before that, the six-time MotoGP World Champion has tests with Ferrari and a return to his day job at the end of the month.