"This is fantastic because it's been a long time since I won in the rain and even longer since I won four in a row!" smiled Valentino, who dedicated the victory to his Grandfather Dario, who died on Sunday at the age of 82. "To win the first [MotoGP] race here at Indianapolis is a great emotion. I'm the first motorcycle winner here in 100 years. It is quite special. I like the track, and I think in the next years we can make it even better."
Agostini's record of 68 premier-class wins had stood unbeaten for more than 30 years - and Rossi's hopes his name will stay on top just as long.
"To beat Agostini's record is incredible. 69 is a great number because it means a long time at the top, but I want to try to make a better number," he said. "I don't want to say [Agostini] was my hero because I don't remember Ago race, just 20 years later on television, but he was the number one - well, some people say it is Agostini, some people say Mike Hailwood.
"But anyway, Ago has some other records like 122 victories and especially 15 world championships that for me maybe is impossible, but to beat him in the number of race wins in the premier class is great. I hope my record remains for another 30 years!"
Of more immediate interest to Rossi is his 87 point lead over nearest title rival Stoner, who finished fourth on Sunday, which means The Doctor can win his sixth
MotoGP title - and first since 2005 - by finishing fourth or higher next time out at Motegi.
"Now we have an 87-point advantage, and we have the first match point in Motegi in two weeks. In 2005, I have the match point in Motegi for the championship, but unfortunately I make a mistake and take out Melandri and we crash. So I have a bad memory of this," Rossi said. "But this time I am able to finish behind Stoner and lose 11 points. So it is important and also because we lose the championship last year in Motegi. So it is good, and we will try for sure."
