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Tuesday June 30, 2009

Rossi can beat my GP record, says Agostini

MILAN: Valentino Rossi can set a new mark for the most Grand Prix wins following his 100th victory in Saturday’s Dutch MotoGP race, record holder Giacomo Agostini has said.

D’Agostini won 123 races from 1965-76, although some pundits say one race was void and his record is 122, a mark the 67-year-old believes is well within Rossi’s reach.

“It is a distant target but not that distant. Someone like Rossi, with a bit of determination, could even get there,“ Agostini told Sunday’s Gazzetta Sportiva.

Pride of Italy: Valentino Rossi and former motorcycling champion Giacomo Agostini at a superbike race in the Isle of Man on June 8. — Reuters

“It depends how many races he wins in 2009 but in two or three years, he could reach 123. It doesn’t change much whether it’s 122 or 123.”

Champion Rossi, who has won eight world titles across all motorbike classes, is hopeful of beating the record despite doubts over how long he wants to stay in MotoGP.

The 30-year-old was close to joining Ferrari in Formula One in 2006 while he also has a passion for rallying and wants to one day compete in the Le Mans 24 hour.

“You can do motorcycling at the top level until about 34,“ the Yamaha rider said after Saturday’s race in Assen, where he unveiled a 10 metre-long poster showing his 99 previous wins.

“The route to 123 is still long, but little by little it could become reality. To be able to beat the record is a very motivating thing but I don’t just race for this reason.”

Agostini said his record of 15 world titles should be untouchable.

“Let me at least keep that record,” he said. — Reuters

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