Marquez and Rossi back Alonso to shine at Indy

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MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez admitted to be surprised by Fernando Alonso's shock decision to skip Monaco and tackle the Indy 500 next month.

But both men are also eager to see how the McLaren driver will acquit himself in the totally new and very specific oval environment.

"It was a surprise, because it’s strange that Alonso won’t race in Monaco,” said seven-time MotoGP worl champion Valentino Rossi

"But I think the situation with the car [in F1] is difficult and he wants to try something else.

"It will be very interesting to understand the potential of Alonso at Indy because it’s completely another world, especially when you race on the oval.

"The one time I went [on an oval] with NASCAR and it was very interesting, but you understand it’s very different. It will be a great challenge and very interesting to see."

Indy sets date for Alonso's first Speedway test

Honda rider Marc Marquez was also stunned by Alonso's Indy venture, but he's also convinced his countryman will do well at the Brickyard.

"The decision is difficult to understand because Monaco is one of the good tracks that maybe with McLaren he can get a good result," Marquez said.

"The Indy 500 is a race that’s difficult to understand from outside.

"You must be really lucky, slipstream is very strange, but the talent of Alonso, all of the drivers in Formula 1 say is one of the best ones in a car.

"His talent is there, I think he’ll be really fast."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.