It has been 11 races since Rossi stood on the podium.
The latter part of the 2018 season saw the Yamaha racer underperform.
In a race that didn’t see much of its victor Marc Marquez, who took off right from the first corner, the contest became a battle for second place.
It was ultimately taken out by The Doctor who cut past Italian Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso on Turn 7 of the last lap.
It was a calculated and smooth manoeuvre by Rossi, who pushed his rival wide in a block pass that drove Dovizioso onto the dirt, unable to open throttle without the risk of high siding.
“In the end I was a little bit faster and Dovi was not able to do his famous cross [move to block],” Rossi said.
Dovizioso was underwhelmed with his performance throughout the race, saying that he struggled.
“I am not happy with the way I worked in the race,” Dovizioso said afterward.
“I had to stay [in] front to manage the tires.
“In the end Valentino was able to study me…”
Traditionally, it has not been a good track for Ducati who have had only one other podium finish here in 2015.
“I am not happy with third position because second was there,” Dovizioso said.
“But we have to be happy for the podium [finish],” he admitted.
For Rossi it was nothing but smiles.
“I ride like when I was young and I enjoy very much,” he joked.
A fitting thing for the 40-year-old Rossi to say, who made his career debut in Argentina at the young age of 17.
Rossi drew a massive Argentine following this GP, who painted the designated Rossi Fan Zone yellow with flags.
They were wild with jubilee as he crossed the finish line in second place.
Marquez dominated from start to end; by Lap 2 he had a one second lead which changed to a six-second gap a few laps later.
He eventually finished 10 seconds ahead of rival Rossi.
The two motorcyclists have shared a heated past on the Argentine track, but showed wonderful sportsmanship this race with a handshake prior to jumping on the podium together.
It’s a big gesture, given that Rossi had previously refused to shake Marquez’s hand in Misano last year, when controversy surrounding their rocky relationship arose in a press conference.
The result places Rossi third in the championship with 31 points, behind Marquez on 45 points and Dovizioso on 41 points.
Catch race three of the season on April 14 at the American GP.
Argentine GP Race Results
- Marquez (SPA) - Repsol Honda
- Rossi (ITA) - Monster Yamaha
- Dovizioso (ITA) - Ducati
- Miller (AUS) - Pramac Ducati
- Rins (SPA) - Suzuki Ecstar
- Petrucci (ITA) - Ducati
- Nakagami (JPN) - LCR Honda
- Quartararo (FRA) - Petronas Yamaha
- Espargaro (SPA) - Factory Aprilia Gresini
- Oliveira (POR) - Red Bull KTM Tech3
- Lorenzo (SPA) - Repsol Honda
- Crutchlow (GBR) - LCR Honda
- Bagnaia (ITA) - Pramac Ducati
- Zarco (FRA) - Red Bull KTM Factory
- Syahrin (MAL) - Red Bull KTM Tech3
- Iannone (ITA) - Factory Aprilia Gresini
DID NOT FINISH
Vinales (SPA) - Monster Yamaha
Morbidelli (ITA) - Petronas Yamaha
Mir (SPA) - Suzuki Ecstar
Rabat (SPA) - Reale Avintia Ducati
Abraham (CZE) - Reale Avintia Ducati
