MILAN // Valentino Rossi can set a new mark for the most grand prix wins following his 100th victory in yesterday's Dutch MotoGP race, the record holder Giacomo Agostini said. D'Agostini won 123 races from 1965-76, although some in motorcycle racing circles say one race was void and his record is 122, a mark the 67-year-old believes is well within Rossi's reach. "It is a distant target but not that distant. Someone like Rossi, with a bit of determination, could even get there," Agostini told Sunday's Gazzetta Sportiva.
"It depends how many races he wins in 2009 but in two or three years, he could reach 123. It doesn't change much whether it's 122 or 123." Champion Rossi, who has won eight world titles across all GP classes, is hopeful of beating the record despite doubts over how long he wants to stay in MotoGP. The rider known as "The Doctor", 30, was close to joining Ferrari in Formula One in 2006 while he also has a passion for rallying and wants to one day compete in the Le Mans 24 hour.
"You can do motorcycling at the top level until about 34," the Yamaha rider said after yesterday's race in Assen, where he unveiled a 10 metre-long poster showing his 99 previous wins. "The route to 123 is still long, but little by little it could become reality. To be able to beat the record is a very motivating thing but I don't just race for this reason." Agostini said his record of 15 world titles should be untouchable.
"Let me at least keep that record," he said. "Winning so many is difficult in any era. In my time it was more dangerous. Every Sunday you lost a friend and a rival." *Reuters
