Rossi ranked as fifth greatest sportsman in the world

Valentino Rossi has been ranked as the fifth greatest sportsman in the world in a poll of Eurosport viewers.

The Yamaha rider received 40% of public votes in one of two semi-finals, but was ranked third in his group by a team of Eurosport experts and so was knocked out of the running.

Tennis player Roger Federer went on to win the contest, beating off competition from golfer Tiger Woods.

The full top five is:
1. Roger Federer
2. Tiger Woods
3. = Sebastian Loeb/Michael Phelps
5. = Valentino Rossi/Ronnie O’Sullivan/Ronaldinho