Valentino Rossi wins on ice as Wrooom 2012 ends

Ducati MotoGP star Valentino Rossi beat Ferrari F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa in a kart race on ice as Wrooom 2012 came to a close on Friday evening at Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.

Rossi - who suffered his first winless grand prix season in 2011 - began the kart race from pole and went on to take victory ahead of Massa, with Alonso recovering to third after an early crash.

Massa then restored some F1 pride by getting the better of seven time MotoGP champion Rossi in the following Fiat 500 car race, in which double Formula One champion Alonso was again third.

"It was really fantastic," said Rossi. "I practice a lot with karts in the summer, and it was great to drive on the ice, especially because it was much colder this time than it was last year, so the track held up well. Felipe was faster than I was, but anyway, it was a great night. I enjoyed myself."

Ferrari test drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Marc Gene, plus Rossi's sidekick Uccio also took part in the exhibition races.

Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden was unable to race due to his recent shoulder and rib injuries.

The 2012 Ducati Desmosedici, which was not seen at this week's press event, will now undergo a shakedown test before being handed to Rossi and Hayden for the start of the Sepang test on January 31.