In 2000, Loris Capirossi won the stage of the 500 world championship at Mugello, one of the most beautiful and iconic tracks in the motorcycle scene. The historic Tuscan route has often been the scene of epic battles. In particular, the one we are about to tell you was special, given that they played for the victory three Italians: Loris Capirossi, Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi.
Rossi that year it was his debut seasonthe year before he won the title 250 and his crystalline talent was already there for all to see. Capirossi and Biaggi instead they were a little more experienced of him. Loris he had already raced in the 500 in ’95 and ’96 and then return to 250where he won title in ’98 and also raced in ’99 together with Rossi. Biaggiof the three, was the one with the greatest coat of arms, the Corsair had on his notice board 4 consecutive titles in 250, between ’94 and ’97.
The story of the Mugello race
The pole position of that grand prix went to Alex Barros. The race, however, from the first laps, left no doubt: for the victory it would have been an three-way conversation among the protagonists already mentioned. Capirex led from the start, Vale and Max followed him and broke away from the rest of the group. Of the two pursuers, the most threatening was Rossiwho in fact exchanged positions a couple of times with Capirossi during the race.
On the penultimate lap, the doctor (still known as “Valentinik” at the time) he overtook Capirex at Scarperia Palagio, but then crashed shortly after at Correntaio in an attempt to stretch. At that point the victory became one issue between the two survivors on the last lap. Loris started the last lap in the lead, Max got closer and closer.
The two did show in the stretch between the Casanova Savelli and the two Arrabbiate exchanging positions twice. Biaggi he came out near Capirossi from the second Arrabbiata and shot one great braking at Scarperia Palagio in order not to lose contact, the consequence however was one fall. Loris Capirossi then won solo the 500 class Mugello Grand Prix, after a wonderful fight with his two compatriots.
The pleasant memories of Capirossi, Rossi and Biaggi
The three protagonists of the race still remember that race with great affection, so much so that they wanted to dedicate part of their autobiographies to that moment. The winner, Capirossi wrote about it: «On the penultimate lap the track lights up. Rossi slips and ends up in the gravel. on the last lap Max also goes down. I cross the finish line first under the checkered flag. Today there is none for anyone! Today I am on top of the world».
Vale and Max too they carry with them sweet memories of that day. Rossi he says it was a «epic battle with him and Biaggi, we were so at the limit that only Capirossi reached the finish line». Biaggi instead he underlined how «whoever was there spent their ticket money well» and remembers the fall with bitterness, underlined by a nice «I was a chicken».
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