Over the course of the past few weeks, eight times champion of the world, Valentino Rossi, has competed in a WRC Rally, tested Ferrari’s F1 car in the rain, and set the fastest time at the final MotoGP test of 2008 aboard the prototype 2009 Yamaha M1. He’s about to race in the Rally in Wales this week, and if reports are correct. He appears to be challenging World Superbike Champion, Troy Bayliss, to a one off race for kicks.
If true, and if this race somehow happens, it would truly be one for the ages. My heart picks up speed just imagining the possibilities.
Here’s what the publication has apparently run as direct quotes from Rossi himself: “If there was an opportunity and the right date then I would race there tomorrow. I like World Superbikes to be mad, I like to watch it and I’d love to ride in it, the problem is the dates.
“I do not know when, but I hope that I can make a race in WSB. I am sad that I would not be able to race against Bayliss on track now because I would like to challenge him on a superbike. Maybe, if I ask him he might even come back for one race for the challenge.”
The magazine also goes on to quote Ducati Xerox Team Boss David Tardozzi as saying: “We like this idea, but will Rossi really race in Superbike? Bayliss is ready.”
I think David’s reticence about the idea is pretty spot on. Would Rossi really come to WSB for a one-off race against Bayliss? Vale on the R1 versus Troy on the 1098?