Valentino Rossi displays his talents in Italy

Michael Schumacher looked on as Valentino Rossi returned to his home circuit at Mugello to display his talents and win a thrilling Italian MotoGP race by just 0.575 of a second.

It was probably the best race in Grands Prix since the spectacles of the 1970s and ’80s, when the likes of Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts diced it out at Silverstone.

The 3.259-mile circuit, owned by Ferrari and packed with 90,000 fans, saw a thrilling race with all the top riders in great form. Michael was a guest at the circuit, and was taken on a lap of the track aboard a twin seater Ducati with Randy Mamola at the helm. The Ferrari boss must have had his heart in his mouth at the time.

With Rossi and Sete Gibernau heading a seven rider front assault in the first part of the race, the second half turned into a battle between Rossi and fellow local hero and friend Loris Capirossi, along with Nicky Hayden.

Having two DNFs in the previous rounds, Rossi was on a mission to show he was still the main contender for the title, and the man to beat. Rossi said afterwards, “I got a really good start and, after I passed Sete, I tried to escape - but it was not possible, he was riding so strong today.

“I didn't know where Loris was, as he had a bad start, but once he got to me I knew I was in for a fight. I decided to let him pass and run behind him for a while, but I didn’t realise so many riders were so close, and they all came through leaving me in fifth position.

“I had it all to do again, and it was just an amazing fight - and I think it was fantastic it went down to the last lap between two riders from the same country. I didn’t take a breath in the last two laps, and to win in front of so many friends and family is a special emotion. I am unbelievably happy.”

Rossi now trails joint leaders Capirossi and Hayden by 34 points after six rounds have been completed. You can be sure that the Doctor’s surgery is now well and truly open for business.

Results from Mugello:
1 Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 42m 39.610s
2 Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 42m 40.185s
3 Nicky Hayden, Honda, 42m 40.345s
4 Dani Pedrosa, Honda, 42m 41.617s
5 Sete Gibernau, Ducati, 42m 42.680s
6 Marco Melandri, Honda, 42m 51.403s
7 Toní Elías, Honda, 42m 58.609s
8 Kenny Roberts, Roberts, 42m 58.782s
9 Makoto Tamada, Honda, 42m 58.841s
10 John Hopkins, Suzuki, 42m 59.431s
11 Shin’ya Nakano, Kawasaki, 42m 59.473s
12 Colin Edwards, Yamaha, 43m 10.288s
13 Randy de Puniet, Kawasaki, 43m 16.808s
14 Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki, 43m 21.322s
15 Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 43m 35.866s
16 James Ellison, Yamaha, 43m 52.997s
17 José Luís Cardoso, Ducati, 42m 45.597s