Despite the nerve 9-time GP champion Valentino Rossi boasted on ahead of the Monza Rally Sow 2014, this year the victory was his to lose. The Doctor had to bow to Poland’s Robert Kubica, even though the Italian topped the Saturday sessions and had a 7-second advantage.
It looks like the rain was Rossi’s worst enemy in this year’s edition of the Monza Rally Show. The setup of his Ford Fiesta WRC has not worked out as he hoped they would once the track got wet. Rossi himself admits that even during the Masters’ Show he simply could not drive as he’d have liked to, he had no feel with the tires and literally could not do better.
"I lost the rally during the last special on Saturday”
Even though Rossi had a great Saturday, he feels like the last special stage on that day cost him the victory. The error he made during that last stage cost him 10 valuable seconds. While he was still in the lead, this gap was not big enough to secure a decisive advantage over the ex-Formula 1 driver Kubica. A pro rally driver for 3 years now, Robert Kubica not only managed to recover the distance between him and Rossi, but has also built a 12-second lead over the Italian.
The Masters’ Show was Rossi’s last chance to make a difference, but victory in the special stage traditionally held on the start/finish straight was also clinched by Kubica. However, Rossi’s Saturday was yet another racing day to remember, as he won four of the five events.
A disappointing Ken Block, Suzuki MotoGP boss DavideBrivio and Tony Cairoli in top 10
The crowd expected to see masterclass driving from gymkhana-guru Ken Block, but the American driver only secured a disappointing 29th position. However, knowing that practice makes perfect, we might see him looking forward to better his results in the future.
Rossi was not the only MotoGP personality to take part in the 2014 Monza Rally Show, as Suzuki’s Davide Brivio and his brother Roberto also lined up at the start. The Brivio brothers actually managed to end the racing weekend in the 4th position, just behind Stefano D’ Aste, who was third. Motocross star and recent MX World Champion Tony Cairoli drove quite well, too, squeezing into the top ten at the end of the Monza event.
A big success despite of the rather inclement weather, the Monza Rally Show looks like being increasingly appealing for more big names in motorcycle racing. Even though this wasn’t Rossi’s year, there’s always a next time, isn’t it?
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