Valentino Rossi Defeated by Dindo Capello in the Monza Rally Show

Valentino Rossi completed his journey through the world of the four-wheelers last weekend, with an honorable runner-up finish in the Monza Rally Show. Ever since it was announced that he will compete in the aforementioned event, all eyes were set on his project fight against sportscar ace Dindo Capello, as they were the only winners in the event for the past 6 years.

And, indeed, it was Rossi's compatriot who managed to win the event at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, as he beat the MotoGP champion by some 17 seconds at the finish line, in his Citroen C4 WRC. The Yamaha rider (competing on a Ford Focus WRC) was not the only high-ranked figure to attend the show, as former WRC champion Marcus Gronholm also made the entry list with his Subaru Impreza.

The Finnish ace eventually finished the rally in 4th place, while Rossi's fellow MotoGP colleagues Marco Simoncelli and Loris Capirossi had to settle for 7th and 15th respectively.

“I finished the rally by winning the last super special test in the rain and I am satisfied to have taken the fastest time in the Master's event. I was hoping to take revenge on Capello but I was not able to do so,” said Rossi, winner of 4 of the 9 special stages on schedule, according to the MotoGP official site.

“In recent years, the level of the Rally de Monza has risen a lot and in order to win, it is not enough to just be fast – you also need to make few mistakes,” added the Italian rider, who was chasing his 3rd win in the Monza Rally Show.

Rossi suffered his second defeat in front of Capello during the past weekend in the Master's Show knock-out event, where he had to stop in the semi-finals.