World champion Valentino Rossi rounded out a second season of domination of MotoGP with his ninth victory of the year at the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday before announcing a forthcoming split with Honda.

It was Rossi's 33rd win in 64 races over four seasons with Honda, but afterwards he said that he would be leaving the Japanese manufacturer, on whose bikes he has won three straight world titles, because he needed a new challenge.

"I have come here today to say thank you to Honda for an incredible four years but unfortunately next year we won't be racing together," the Italian said at a Honda media conference.

"I have decided to change because I've done everything with the bike. I've won in the wet, won in the dry, won on my favourite tracks and my least favourite tracks like today."

Rossi said he could not discuss any new deal until his contract expired at the end of the year, but Yamaha released a statement after his announcement welcoming his split with Honda and saying they were in discussions with his management team.

Earlier, the ebullient 24-year-old crossed the line with his front wheel in the air to celebrate his first victory at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, completing a full house of wins at grand prix circuits still in use.

He then donned an afro wig and outsize sunglasses for the celebrations on the podium.

CONSECUTIVE PODIUMS

The Italian's 59th victory in 124 grands prix at all levels ensured that he tied motorcycling great Giacomo Agostini's record of consecutive podiums with his 22nd straight top-three finish.

His 357 points this season is also a record, exceeding his own 2002 mark by two.

Rossi, who secured the world title in Malaysia last month, had to work hard for his win with championship runner-up Sete Gibernau doing his best early in the race to give the 121, 342 crowd some local success to cheer about.

But Rossi once again showed that he is at his finest when under pressure and did enough to keep the Catalan in second place.

Ducati's Loris Capirossi, taking part in his 200th grand prix, finished third ahead of his fellow Italian Max Biaggi, third in the championship, to deprive Honda a podium sweep.

"It was a real race because Sete is in good shape and riding so well," said Rossi. "Sete came with me at the beginning but in the last few laps I was able to set some good times."

Rossi started from pole, but neither he nor Gibernau was able to get away well and Capirossi took full advantage, leading into the first turn.

By the second lap, Rossi was back in front and soon he was fighting it out with Gibernau, who passed him briefly on lap 10. There was no stopping the number 46, however, and, after retaking the lead, he raced away with a series of record laps to secure victory.

"I looked behind me and Sete said 'Ciao', so I thought maybe he didn't want to come with me so I thought it was better I go on alone," joked Rossi.

Gibernau, who won four races this year, dedicated his season to his team mate Daijiro Kato, who died as the result of a crash at the opening round of the season in Japan.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Navy fleet visit heart of US forces in the Pacific ( 2003-11-02) +Future SARS details to come quickly ( 2003-11-03) +Premier: 'United all of Asia will win' ( 2003-11-03) +Chief economist: Revalue RMB 'a serious mistake' ( 2003-11-03) +First a man, now moon for space programme ( 2003-11-03)		+Leading Chinese league scorers ( 2003-11-03) +Roma close in on leaders Juve and Milan ( 2003-11-03) +Valencia grab top spot with 5-0 win in Mallorca ( 2003-11-03) +Henman beats Pavel to win Paris Masters ( 2003-11-03) +Rossi says farewell to Honda with victory ( 2003-11-03)