MOTORCYCLES: Rossi takes second at World GP, closes gap on Roberts
22 August 2000
2000 FIM 500cc Grand Prix Series, Round 11: Autodrom Brno, Brno, Czech Republic, August 20, 2000 World 500 Grand Prix action resumed at the Czech Republic Grand Prix in Brno Sunday, after nearly a month layoff. Honda riders once again packed the top-10 finishing positions, with Valentino Rossi's second-place on his Nastro Azzuro NSR500 the best Honda placing. Victorious Italian Max Biaggi took the lead on the second lap of the 22-lap race on the 3.3-mile Brno circuit and was never threatened. Kenny Roberts Jr. finished fourth, and retains his points lead in the championship chase. Rossi had a fierce race-long duel with Australian Garry McCoy and his spectacular full-on-sideways riding style. Loris Capirossi on the Emerson Pons Honda rode to a heroic fifth place, despite a broken finger suffered in a crash during Saturday's practice; the young Italian passed out from the pain when he reached his pits after the race. Repsol Honda riders Sete Gibernau and reigning world champion Alex Criville finished sixth and seventh, with their teammate Tadayuki Okada coming home 10th. Czech Republic 500 GP, Top Finishers 1. Max Biaggi - Yamaha 2. Valentino Rossi - Honda 3. Garry McCoy - Yamaha 4. Kenny Roberts Jr. - Suzuki 5. Loris Capirossi - Honda 6. Sete Gibernau - Honda 7. Alex Criville - Honda 10. Tadayuki Okada - Honda FIM 500cc GP Points Standings 1. Kenny Roberts Jr. - Suzuki - 174 points 2. Valentino Rossi - Honda - 132 points 3. Carlos Checa - Yamaha - 128 points 4. Loris Capirossi - Honda - 123 points 5. Norick Abe - Yamaha - 106 points 6. Alex Barros - Honda - 104 points 7. Alex Criville - Honda - 97 points 11. Tadayuki Okada - Honda - 71 points 15. Sete Gibernau - Honda - 51 points