Valentino Rossi couldn’t back up his win last year; finishing second to WRC star Dani Sordo. Image: MotoGP.

Seven times MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has finished second in the Monza Rally Show to WRC star Dani Sordo.

Three times a winner of the event, Yamaha Factory Racing rider Rossi drove a Ford Fiesta RS WRC car over nine asphalt stages at the iconic circuit located on the outskirts of Milan.

After the nine competition stages Rossi would eventually finish in the runners-up spot, a very respectable 10.6 seconds behind eventual winner Sordo.

“This is one of the highlights of the year – I get to race against my friends and there is very little pressure to perform,” Rossi told MotoGP.com.

“It is a shame that I didn’t get the overall win today but I’m proud of four stage wins which is incredible for me. And I get to see all of the fans from rally and MotoGP, which is great.

“I’m coming back next year!”

Rossi, competing alongside Carlo Cassina who served as co-driver, also finished second to Spain’s Sordo in the Master Show knockout tournament.