They'll end up calling Valentino Rossi “The Cannibal” too, just like they did with Belgian cycling star Eddy Merkx in the '70s, accused of killing every race before it even started by leaving his competitors in the dust behind him!
Valentino Rossi stands here today with 6 wins in 7 races, 170 points scored out of the 175 available, and 63 big points over his nearest rival.… The list of accomplishments could go on and on, but what sticks out more than the 'stats is the way he pulls the win out of the race that makes him a likely candidate for (if he isn't already) the greatest motorcycle racer of al time. These past few GP races, in fact, Valentino has made a habit of claiming his victory in the final few laps, even in the last few curves!
And all that's left for the other fine racers on the Motorcycle GP circuit is….humble pie!
On the Assen TT rack, the Dainese flag-bearer had no rivals at all, and blew past Meandri and team-mate Edwards in the final stretch. We can't help feeling sorry for Max Biaggi, who after a weekend of disappointing time trials could do no better than claim 6th place.
In the 250 cc Class, our young Dainese talents keep coming on strong: Dani Pedrosa maintained his position at the top of the pack with a 2nd place finish after a well-fought duel with Jorge Lorenzo, who finished with an excellent 3rd best time just two weeks after breaking his collarbone in an accident on the Catalunya track.
In the lightweight division, Simoncelli and friends were simply unable to make the mark in the Dutch GP they would have and could have. The Roman racer was always up in front with the leaders and would have won the race but for a fall near the end. Although he gets our compliments for jumping right back into the saddle, he had to accept a 21st place finish. Manuel Poggiali had better luck that day (8th), as did Thomas Luthi (10th) and Pablo Nieto (11th).

As for D-Challenge, you ask? Sete Gibernau's fatal fall served him a frustrating 5th place that was just as daunting for all of you who'd picked the Spanish ace for a place on the winners' stand. So there's no real partial winner, and that complete head-to-toe Valentino Rossi replica racing outfit is still out there…with still many a race yet to be run!