Italian driver Valentino Rossi has been crowned 500cc World Champion 2001 after a dramatic victory at the Quantas Grand Prix in Australia today. Rossi won the race by .013 seconds from Max Biaggi and in the process became only the second driver in history to capture the 125, 250 and 500cc crowns.
Eighth place would have been enough to see Rossi claim the crown but he powered his Nastro Azzurro Honda past fellow Italian Biaggi's Marlboro Yamaha on the very last lap, and held on to the lead until the chequered flag for the narrowest of victories. Another Italian, Loris Capirossi, and Brazilian Alex Barros took third and fourth place respectively.
"Going into the race I was not thinking about the Championship, just trying to concentrate," said Rossi after the race. "It was a big show, with five or six riders fighting hard at this fantastic circuit. I tried to break clear but it was impossible and I had to wait until the last lap. There was one point I knew I could overtake Max, and I went for it."
Rossi now joins Phil Read as the only drivers to have won each Championship category. Rossi won the 125cc crown in 1997, and the 250cc crown in 1999.
Filed by Tom Grealis
