Video. When Valentino Rossi tried his hand at the WRC

This Sunday, Valentino Rossi will take part in his 23rd season in the World Championship MotoGP. The Italian who has become a veteran of the discipline (39 years and nine titles) will try to get a little further into the motorcycle sport record book. But the man nicknamed “The Doctor” is in reality a fan of motor sports, and has often swapped the handlebars of his machines for a steering wheel. rally.

1. A short first experience at the RAC 2002
The current official Yamaha rider has two participations in WRC. The first dates back to the 2002 Rally of Great Britain. At the time, the trans staralpine opted for a Peugeot 206 private WRC within the Griffonne team. Supported by the manufacturer Michelin (present in MotoGP) and its personal partners, Valentino Rossi is co-driven by the experienced Carlo Cassina. “I have a good feeling with the car and I find the same sensations as in MotoGP from a trajectory and engine power point of view. On the other hand, the braking marks are very different. »
 

True to his jovial temperament, the Italian does not set himself high goals. « I have as much chance of winning the rally as of winning the Football World Cup! There will be at least fifteen riders ahead of me fighting for it. Me, I especially want to see the finish. » Alas, the adventure ends at the first special stage. After 18 kilometers, the Peugeot crashes into a ditch and cannot get out.

2. A complete rally in New Zealand 2006
“This guy is a superhero. » This is the opinion of David Richards, boss of Prodrive and who is entering a third official Subaru Impreza for the 2006 New Zealand Rally. On board, Valentino Rossi, who manages to squeeze in an excursion to Oceania once the season is over. two wheels completed.

Flanked by his favorite number, 46, he finished just outside the top 10, 11th, 20 minutes behind the winner Marcus Grönholm. “I really lack any bearings so I ride without taking any risks. It has nothing in common with motorcycling. For example, the long special of 43 km is the duration of a Grand Prix! It’s not easy to concentrate during all these kilometers. It goes round and round, but I’m really enjoying myself.”, indicates the native of Tavullia (Italy). In his defense, we have never seen Marcus Grönholm try MotoGP…

3. Great Britain 2008, finally at the finish
The 2002 exit served as a lesson. This time behind the wheel of a Ford Focus prepared by Stobart, Valentino Rossi finished 12th in the tricky British rally. “The car was fantastic and I was very comfortable after finding good settings. Here I wanted to go step by step and try to avoid mistakes and it worked, explains Rossi, who was dropped to 45th place on the evening of the first stage. This rally is very difficult and I am very happy to have finished. The Focus was truly awesome to drive. »

More recently, Valentino Rossi has become a specialist in Monza Rally Show, an asphalt competition taking place within the Monza circuit (Italy), with several victories, the last dating back to November 2017 facing big names like Thierry Neuville and Andreas Mikkelsen.