Rossi Charity MX Event Draws 10,000

Motorcycle.com Staff
by Motorcycle.com Staff

Rossi charity MX event draws 10,000

All-star motocross race raises money for childrens hospital
By Motorcycle.Com Staff, Nov. 17, 2009
A charity motocross event organized by Valentino Rossi drew over 10,000 supporters, raising money for a childrens hospital in Italy.

The event was called motocross dei Campioni, 30 anni dopo (translation: Motocross Championship, 30 years after) and took place Nov. 15 in Cavallara, Italy. The name refers to a similar charity event organized by Rossis father, Graziano Rossi, in 1979.

MotoGP racer Andrea Dovizioso won the event, beating out other Italian racers such as Rossi, Marco Melandri, Loris Capirossi, Marco Simoncelli and Mattia Pasini, Spanish racer Julian Simon and former 500cc Grand Prix Champion Kevin Schwantz.

Simon took the first heat of the day ahead of Dovizioso and Melandri. The results were repeated in the second moto. Simon had a chance to take the overall victory but the 125cc Grand Prix Champion had to leave to catch a flight to Spain. Dovizioso took the third heat to claim the overall win. Melandri finished again in third, this time behind Rossi. The host and 2009 MotoGP Champion finished sixth in the first race and fourth in the second.

The real winners though were the children at the hospital in Pesaro, Italy, which treats leukemia sufferers. The event drew more than 10,000 paying spectators but the total amount of money raised was not released.

This was important because it was a charity event for children. We are thrilled by the response, and it is exciting to see all these people here in Cavallara. Its also nice to compete with the other riders! Rossi told MotoGP.com. I thank all the riders who wanted to come. I think it was a good show and weve been fortunate this year because it didnt rain, so weve all thoroughly enjoyed it.

A video with highlights of the event can be seen on MotoGP.com.

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Rossi hosting charity MX event

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