Retro: The shortest race ever!

On the occasion of the Italian Grand Prix, we could not miss the exceptional 2004 edition. Nineteen years later – to the day, it is still the shortest race of all time. Here is the story of a round like no other in an equally historic season.

On June 6, 2004, the MotoGP riders line up on the starting grid. The circuit is already legendary. In the heart of Tuscany, Mugello has been thrilling fans since the end of the 1970s. A new idol is there to satisfy fans: Valentino Rossi. “The Doctor” swapped his Honda Repsol for an official Yamaha but nothing works. From the first Grand Prix in South Africa, he won on the YZR-M1, thumbing his nose at his rival Max Biaggi. Despite this achievement, Rossi was a little behind at Jerez and Le Mans.

Sete Gibernau won in Andalusia, and even repeated in Sarthe. The Honda Gresini driver displays an impressive level, just like Biaggi, second overall without leaving the podium. Rossi is third after two consecutive fourth places despite a pole at Jerez and his resounding victory at Welkom. These were the positions upon landing in Italy.

 

On Saturday, the loud encouragement from the fans was not enough; Sete Gibernau continues his march forward and takes pole position. But Rossi is a Sunday man, and there is no doubt that both Sete and Max know that the task will be difficult. As the Fratelli d'Italia rings out in honor of the victory of Roberto Locatelli in 125cc, Valentino Rossi also knows that he will have to do hard to beat the Hondas, overall more efficient than his Iwata machine.

As soon as the lights go out, the pilots get ready. Sete Gibernau starts strong, and takes the fastest lap in the race very early. As the loops pass, a group forms at the front. It is composed of both Honda Pons (sponsored by Camel) driven by Max Biaggi et Makoto Tamada, Sete Gibernau and its RC211V Gresini financed by the Movistar, and of course, Valentino Rossi.

The battle is fierce, the pilots surrender blow for blow with great Tamada – it must be emphasized. No one wants to give up; the quartet offers us a sensational joust. Sometimes Rossi is unhooked, sometimes he comes back and leads. Impossible to predict who will win. At the same time, the whole earth is shocked by the accident of Shinya Nakano on Kawasaki. On the main straight, he falls at high speed but miraculously escapes.

Then, 17 laps after the start, the red flags were raised. Odd. Rain is forecast; rare in Tuscany, it nevertheless already disrupted the plateau a few years ago. However, on the screen, it is difficult to distinguish the few drops. We are far from the violent Indonesian storm, be sure. But everyone obeys the rules, raises their hands, and cuts. The race management announces a new start, for six laps only! Drivers will start in the positions they held at the time of the red flag. As a result, Valentino Rossi is the new poleman of this Sprint ahead of time.

In the stands, agitation reigns. Do we wear slicks, or rather rain tires? Certainly, the drizzle hits the circuit but the track looks dry, only a little greasy. From then on, several strategies are put in place, knowing that the drivers will benefit from two warm-up laps and the possibility of changing tires on the grid. “The Doctor” and Max Biaggi remain on slicks, while Sete Gibernau opts for intermediates.

 

After trying the track, all those who had chosen the grooved track reconsider their decision; smooth tires are required. During the second departure, we witness the emergence of a pack led by good old Norrick Abe, pilot Tech3. Then, it's the Ducati satellite of Rubén Xaus who takes the lead.

Weird. But not as much as the rhythm of Troy Bayliss, on the official Desmosedici, which gives the impression of flying on the track! In Savelli he reminds Rubén Xaus why he is a factory driver and not him. As the drizzle increases in intensity, the “Baylisstic” missile escapes. But unfortunately for him, Mother Nature stops all the drizzle. The Australian loses the advantage, while Valentino Rossi, like a hero, removes all the competition as the track dries.

In the space of a few turns, the already five-time Grand Prix world champion takes off. Sete Gibernau wakes up, but late. The two crossed the line in that order, and were more than a second behind Max Biaggi, third. In total, all this only lasted 12 minutes! Bayliss, remarkable, is fourth.

This race is important in several ways. Beyond the simple victory at home, it is the first time that Valentino Rossi beat Sete Gibernau head to head during this 2004 season. This led to the creation of positive momentum, as Rossi followed up with two more successes in Catalonia and the Netherlands. Gibernau, each time, was second, his overall ranking at the end of the year.

The Honda boys could do nothing about it; Rossi was the strongest, and he became six-time world champion after an end of the year marked by a consistency of which only he has the secret. Did you know the history of the 2004 Italian Grand Prix? Tell us in the comments!

To watch the race in full, available on the MotoGP YouTube channel, click on this highlighted sentence.

 

Cover photo: Yamaha Community