Linda
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Valentino Rossi extending his celebrityValentino Rossi has an affinity for America, primarily because he's not a household name here, as is the case in the rest of the world.
His arrival, however, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday resembled that of a rock star. Hundreds of fans crowded an infield stage to get a glimpse of the five-time MotoGP champion, the Michael Schumacher of his sport.
"A lot of people for Thursday," the 29-year-old Italian said of his loud reception three days before the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP. "Beautiful."
Adoring fans voiced their approval. The give-and-take sequence during a brief public question-and-answer session led to more cheers after each of Rossi's comments.
"Compared to Europe, to Italy, it's better," he said. "The people are more quiet. . . . In Europe, they're a bit more excited. There's more confusion."
There's no confusing Rossi's popularity on the world stage.
Fans love a talented winner. A victory Sunday would be his 69th and he would surpass retired Italian legend Giacomo Agostini for most wins in MotoGP history.
Rossi makes millions -- his $34 million last year ranked seventh on Sports Illustrated's list of top sports personalities -- yet he takes the time to interact with fans. He joked about his fat English bulldog Quido relaxing at home under an air conditioner. After flinging hats to the crowd, he jumped from the front of the stage to sign autographs.
Back in Italy, Rossi fervor went beyond this kind of respectful admiration, especially after he tested Formula One cars extensively with beloved Ferrari in 2006. The limelight became so consuming, he moved to London.
Still, Italy pulled at its hero, this time at his pocketbook. A tax issue about undeclared earnings led to a $27 million settlement in February. And he moved back home.
"Tiger Woods, he hasn't got anything on Valentino," said American Colin Edwards, a close friend and competitor who also rides on a Yamaha. "I mean, as far as worldwide popularity, it's just insane. I mean, it's not normal.
"I wouldn't want it. I just wouldn't want it. I couldn't deal with it. I couldn't deal with the lifestyle, the cloak and dagger of being hidden and snuck in the back entrance and people finding out and mobbing him and pulling on him and yanking on him. Man, he deals with it. I don't know how he deals with it; it's because he's Valentino."
International media describe him with greater reverence.
"In Italy, he's God," said England's Matthew Birt, writer for Motorcycle News since 1996.
"He's the first motorcycle racer after a long, long time who's been able to take the sport outside the normal fan base. He's taken it to a more mainstream audience just because of his personality and his charisma, really."
Adds Eurosport TV analyst Julian Ryder of England, "We might be in the very presence of the greatest that's ever been."
It's uncertain if Rossi can transcend his sport in the U.S. as MotoGP alters the 18-race schedule to include two races on American soil. In July, he edged defending series champion Casey Stoner at Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif.
Yamaha announced it had retained Rossi for two more years the day before that race. The next day's run was one of the most exciting in years, as Rossi and Stoner traded passes.
Stoner had qualified a full second ahead of his rival and didn't take the loss well. The 22-year-old Aussie accused Rossi of cutting him off several times in passing attempts.
"Valentino has to be the most respected rider in this paddock. Everyone respects him," Stoner said. "Today, I lost quite a lot of that."
But what could have been an interesting subplot for Indy is now a footnote. Rossi has won three in a row. Stoner has crashed out of two.
MotoGP's most celebrated rider enjoys a 75-point lead. And he's hungry. His last season title was in 2005. But he can clinch No. 6 in his initial visit to Indy. If so, Rossi said he would stop his bike and kiss the yard of bricks at the start/finish line.
Before arriving here, his charter flight stopped in Las Vegas and New York City. Even in those cities, his identity was safe.
"It's very good because nobody knows me," Rossi said in a news conference later Thursday. "It's not like (my) normal life."
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