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Hotshot takes to the track

Jul 26 2009 by Zoe Burn, Sunday Sun

LAST week he broke-up for the summer holidays like any normal teenager . . . but today Chrissy Rouse is sharing the bill with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi in front of thousands of race fans.

Chrissy, 13, is taking part in the support race at the last ever British round of the MotoGP World Championship at Donington Park this afternoon.

The Emmanuel College student from Hopson, near Burnopfield was one of just 44 up-and-coming young bike racers from across the world invited to take part in the prestigious event at the famous Derbyshire track.

And although he has only been racing motorbikes for 18 months, the teenager is looking well on track to follow in his hero’s footsteps.

“I’ve seen loads of the big stars, and I was over the moon when I met Rossi on Friday,” he said.

“He was sitting on his scooter and he was really nice, posing for pictures with my friends and asking us how we were.”

“I still actually can’t believe that not only have I met Rossi this weekend, I’m actually racing on the same tarmac as him in front of thousands of people.”

Chrissy, who had always dreamed of trying his hand at racing motorbikes, got his first taste of two-wheels in the motocross arena when he was just nine.

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