World Motorcycle Champ Rossi Takes 1st in Valencia Grand Prix

Topics:  Valentino Rossi

VOA Sports
November 2, 2003

World motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi of Italy won the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix in Spain Sunday, to capture his ninth MotoGP victory of the year.

Rossi dominated the race, as he rode his Honda from the pole position to the finish line in 47 minutes and 13.078 seconds. That was more than a half-second ahead of second-place finisher Sete Gibernau of Spain. Loris Capirossi of Italy took third place, more than 11 seconds behind.

After the race, Rossi announced he will not be driving for the Honda team next year. He is expected to sign with Yamaha, but cannot do so until his contract with Honda expires at the end of the year.

Rossi beat Gibernau in the championship standings by 90 points. Honda's Max Biaggi of Italy finished third and his countryman and Ducati rider Loris Capirossi wound up fourth overall.