A charity motocross event organized by Valentino Rossi drew over 10,000 supporters, raising money for a children’s hospital in Italy.

The event was called “motocross dei Campioni, 30 anni dopo” (translation: “Motocross Championship, 30 years after”) and took place Nov. 15 in Cavallara, Italy. The event is a based on the similar event that took place 30 years earlier.

Arranged by the 2009 MotoGP World Champion to raise funds for a children’s hospital based in Pesaro which helps leukaemia sufferers, Rossi was overjoyed with the turnout in numbers.

MotoGP Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso won the event, beating out other Italian racers such as Rossi, Marco Melandri, Loris Capirossi, Marco Simoncelli and Mattia Pasini, Spanish racer Julian Simon and former 500cc Grand Prix Champion Kevin Schwantz.

Simon took the first heat of the day ahead of Dovizioso and Melandri. The results were repeated in the second race. Simon had a chance to take the overall victory but the 125cc Grand Prix Champion had to leave to catch a flight to Spain.  Dovizioso took the third heat to claim the overall win. Melandri finished again behind Rossi.  The host and 2009 MotoGP World Champion finished sixth in the first race and fourth in the second.

The real winners though were the children at the hospital in Pesaro, Italy. The event drew more than 10,000 paying spectators but the total amount of money raised was not released.

“This was important because it was a charity event for children. We are thrilled by the response, and it is exciting to see all these people here in Cavallara. It’s also nice to compete with the other riders!” Rossi told MotoGP.com. “I thank all the riders who wanted to come. I think it was a good show and we’ve been fortunate this year because it didn’t rain, so we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Rossi revealed his winter break plans for the rest of the month, Rossi added, “I will still race. Later this month I’ll participate in the Monza Rally, in a Ford, and the week after I’ll be at the Bologna Motorshow, also with a Ford. After that, I’ll have a holiday, and I’ll go skiing!”

Valentino Rossi Cavallara 15 Nov 2009 Motocross dei campioni

Additional video highlights can be found at MotoGP.com.

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