Motor Sports: All about style for remarkable Rossi

Valentino Rossi, on the Nastro Azzuro Honda, showed why he is the best on Saturday, June 16, after winning the Catalunya Grand Prix in the World Motorcycle Championship.

Rossi, who has now won four out of the first six races this year thus far, is a standout choice for this season's title.

Only 22-years old, "Valerossi," as he is called, has won both 125cc and 250cc Championships, the other formats of "MotoGP," and is headed in the same direction in the "premier" class, the 500cc's.

After taking the pole position for the race, Valentino was pushed wide on the first corner by Spaniard Sete Gibernau, and fell to 15th spot. His climb to the top three was complete by the seventh lap, and from there went second past Gibernau, and then into the top spot past fellow Italian Loris Capirossi.

Rossi set about breaking lap records from there, and opened up an immediate gap in front of the field. He clocked the fastest lap at 1 minute 46.6 seconds, more than one second faster than anyone else.

Rossi celebrated in fine style with his customary burnouts in the cool down lap, parading his Michelin tyres, which he left all over the tarmac.

The podium was an all-Italian affair. Second place getter was Max Biaggi on the Malboro Yamaha. Biaggi, who was rumored to have exchanged obscene words with him following the race, is a sworn enemy to Rossi. Third was Capirossi on the West Honda Pons.

Rossi has extended his lead in the title race to 26 points.