Rossi was very happy because feeling like the champion

Le Mans - Valentino Rossi absurdly pleased with the results of the French Grand Prix on Sunday (05/15/2011). The wait has been finally realized, where for the first time in his career he could be on the podium with Ducati.

Indeed, "The Doctor" worth celebrating small successes because he and the Ducati is not a favorite in the 2011 season. This is because the performance of the Desmosedici GP11 far short of expectations because of competition with its rivals from Honda and Yamaha teams. Moreover, his physical condition did not support the postoperative shoulder in November last year.

However, in the race for 28 laps at Le Mans Circuit, France, Rossi showed the appearance of a very impressive and fantastic. Start from a sequence of nine, seven times MotoGP world champion was slowly pushed forward and had been in second place before being beaten by the Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso, on the last few laps. Rossi is also the second defeat of Dovizioso after the GP of Portugal earlier this month he was defeated before the finish line in the race for fourth spot.

"I'm very happy, first podium with Ducati cause tremendous emotional, especially since I went there after experiencing a difficult period when we had many struggles to overcome my physical condition and also be able to better understand the motor," said 33-year-old rider .

"However, this is getting better and race on this day very enjoyable. I did a pretty good start, a few times to overtake the opponent, and I am involved in the fight with Dovi and (Jorge) Lorenzo. We have a different setting and I am faster than them at rest this weekend. "

"At the end of fun because I did a few laps with a good to fight with Jorge and I can pass it. Then, when Dovi came, there was another fight again."

"We are on a good path, but in some places we are still a lot to lose. When I tried to overtake Dovi, I thought it was the last lap, but it turns out there's still one more time, I'm not sure. However, it is difficult and congratulations for Dovi. "

Despite failing to become number two, Rossi was still happy. In fact, on the podium, the former Honda and Yamaha rider was celebrated the same as someone who just became the winner.

"Third place is certainly not like a winner, but similar," he said.