Valentino Rossi's win in the US MotoGP was among his very best performances, the seven-time world champion said Monday.
''Bella, bellissima. One for the scrapbook, one of the best rides of my career,'' he said after beating reigning world champ Casey Stoner.
''It was fantastic for me, the intensity, the great battle with Stoner and all the overtaking.
''It was an important win, it's the first time I've won here and it'll remain unforgettable''.
Rossi's Yamaha trailed Stoner's Ducati through practice, qualifying and even the warm-up sessions.
''But we never stopped trying. We made a few changes during the warm-up and I managed to get more speed''.
The Italian's win put an end to Stoner's run of three victories and gave him a 25-point lead at the top of the standings ahead of next month's Czech GP.
''I'm off on holiday in a relaxed mood. But me and Yamaha will have to stay focused because Stoner and Ducati are tough rivals and there's a long way to go''.
The US GP was the 11th race in the MotoGP calendar.
There are seven more to go before the championship winds up in Valencia on October 28.
