Sometimes races leave you speechless. Few drivers are able to achieve historic, astonishing performances. Of course, Valentino Rossi is one of them. We can no longer count the legendary moments featuring the nine-time world champion over the last twenty-five years. Today, let's look back at one of "The Doctor's" greatest races, Phillip Island 2003.
To appreciate this moment, it is necessary to contextualize it. Valentino Rossi has been competing in the premier category since 2000, with Honda. Although he was not champion as a rookie, his talent dazzles the field. From his second year, the title held out his arms to him. In 2002, the sport evolved: the 500cc two-strokes disappeared to make way for the 990cc four-strokes, more modern and in accordance with the development plan of the DORN.
This doesn't change much for Vale. In 2002, he crushed the championship on his official RC211V in the most beautiful way. No less than 15 podiums in 16 races, only one retirement and 11 victories. Poor Max Biaggi, second 140 points behind overall, can only contemplate.
Rossi in 2003, among his best. Photo: Box Repsol
Suffice to say that suspense was not in order for 2003, that's saying something. After only five races, “He dottore” already places his hand on the trophy. He is 30 points ahead at mid-season but has still not got off the podium. Gibernau and Biaggi, his two “rivals” at the time, did the best they could but nothing seemed to be able to reach the Italian champion.
The antepenultimate race of the season, held in Malaysia, once again brings the Fratelli d'Italia to life. Valentino has now won the title for the third time in a row, with two races remaining. The Italian is on a current series of 14 podiums this season, in as many events. How to compete?
Comes this famous Australian round. Saturday did not bode well for any suspense for the next day, as Rossi easily took pole position. Troy Bayliss, on Ducati, wants to shine during his national Grand Prix. The other favorites are known: you will have to count on Max Biaggi for Honda, Loris Capirossi at Ducati and Nicky Hayden, a young rookie from the United States, incidentally the doctor's teammate. Marco Melandri, at Fortuna Yamaha, can play the spoilsport.
Rossi with Jeremy Burgess, at the 2003 Australian Grand Prix. Photo: Box Repsol
The start is given. Strangely, Rossi is quickly surrounded and finds himself left behind by his companions. A huge five-way battle sets up up front, involving all the favorites. Vale struggles to get back up, painfully overtaking Capirossi. Melandri leads the race but remains subject to attacks from Gibernau and Bayliss.
Suddenly, the race changes. Bayliss seems to be braking late and can't dodge Melandri. The two men touch each other, but the Australian is the only one to fall! This seems severe, because a stretcher is immediately brought out. At the same time, Valentino made the mistake of overtaking under the logically brandished yellow flag. A few laps later, the sanction falls. 10 seconds penalty, retained at the finish as is customary.
In the meantime, Rossi had recovered and was playing at the forefront. Marco Melandri, well established in the leading group, also falls! Throughout the loops, the rhythm of “Rossifumi” continues to grow.
An incredible performance follows. The No. 46 took the lead, then increased his lead to more than three seconds. Then five. Then ten. Largely in the lead, he continues to widen the gap on “Capirex” and the “Kentucky Kid”, his two closest pursuers.
Finally, he won with more than fifteen seconds in advance. Of course, with the lap record, you guessed it. That day, a pilot became a magician. How was he able to set such a pace when he seemed to be struggling at the start of the race? No one knows. Capirossi, second, and Hayden, third, can only congratulate him.
Great champions are capable of transcending themselves when the stakes become high. When it comes to winning, few are able to do it like Valentino Rossi. Win with a ten-second penalty, and add five seconds for fun. The UFO of October 19, 2003 remains an enigma, an unsolved mystery in the history of Grands Prix.
Do you remember this moment? Tell us in the comments!
Here with the famous special decoration for Valencia 2003, Rossi's last with Honda. Photo: Box Repsol
Cover photo: Box Repsol
