Italy lauds 'Peter Pan' Rossi

Reuters

Italy has become so used to Valentino Rossi's success that news of his latest MotoGP title had to battle for column inches with the Milan football derby and a world road cycling title for Alessandro Ballan yesterday.

The 29-year-old, who wrapped up his fifth MotoGp title in Japan on Sunday, has been dominant on his Yamaha this season after two barren years.

The headlines still exuded Italian pride.

"Emperor Rossi," boasted La Stampa, "he was Peter Pan and now he is a man" it added in a reference to Rossi's boyish humour and occasional impetuousness.

Rossi joked on Sunday that he would retire once his 11-year-old half-brother Luca Marini joins MotoGP.