Rossi-Doohan diversity explained by Burgess

Having worked alongside two of MotoGP’s dominant figures of the past two decades, Jeremy Burgess is well placed to describe the characters of Valentino Rossi and Mick Doohan.

The Australian masterminded fellow countryman Doohan’s dominance of the mid-1990s – which comprised five consecutive 500cc World titles – and has been integral to Rossi’s success as well.

Currently at Fiat Yamaha with Rossi, Burgess has been the technical pivot for the reigning World Champion’s six titles to date. The Doctor is edging ever closer to a seventh premier class crown as he prepares for the Iveco Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

“When a rider like Mick or Valentino strings a number of World Championships together it’s clear that they are in a different group,” said Burgess, before continuing to explain the diversity in character of the two.

“Certainly, they are very different in the box. Valentino is happy-go-lucky, but still very serious about his job, and enjoys it very much and he’s very skilled. Mick certainly was more intense in the box, and he was serious about what he did and achieved plenty.”

“You could look at it in one sentence and say that Valentino enjoys the racing whereas Mick Doohan enjoyed the winning.”