ELIAS EDGES ROSSI IN MOTOGP’S CLOSEST-EVER FINISH
18 Oct 2026·
On 15 October 2006, Toni Elias took his only MotoGP victory at Estoril in a race remembered for its dramatic final lap and record-breaking finish. The championship leader crashed out, opening up the title fight, while Elias—13th in the standings and not among the favourites—beat Valentino Rossi by the smallest margin between the top two in MotoGP history. The source reports no rider quotes.