After keeping everyone guessing as to whether he would take part in the four-wheel ice races that end the Wrooom Ferrari/Ducati Pr🍨ess event, MotoGP star Valentino Rossi did take to the track - but it was Fernando Alonso who emerged victorious.

Rossi's participation was in doubt right up until the last moment due to shoulder surgery in mid-November and negative comments earlier this week about the speed of his recovery, which Rossi said could take unt🐷il April/May.

But in the end the seven time Mo⭕toGP champion, making his first official appearance in Ducati team colours in Madonna di Campiglio, couldn't resist the lure of some racing action and joined team-mate Nicky Hayden in facing Ferrari F1 race drive🤡rs Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa (plus an assortment of test drivers) in karts and then Fiat 500s.

Of special interest was the rivalry ✅between multiple world champions Rossi and Alonso, which has been brewing since Rossi's F1 tests in 2006 and could lead to a special end-of-2011 ra🤪cing challenge between them (see separate story).

It was definitely a case of first blood to Alonso at Wrooom, after♕ the Spaniard took an emphatic double victory on ice, starting with a win over Massa and Hayden - last year's surprise winner - in the kart race, while Rossi survived some scary moments on his way to fifth.

Those results were then used to set the grid for the Fiat 500 race, which sa🐓w Alonso keep his advantage for a second victory - despite a safety car period - with Hayden againꦯ doing an impressive job, this time in second, and Rossi third.

"This week has been a spectacular event, and the races at the end were a lot of fun," said Rossi. "In the end, I d𝕴ecided to take part because the atmosphere here at Wrooom was so fantastic, and because the fans deserved it. I got a few jolts from the holes, but nothing too bad. It was worth it."

"This was my third Wrooom, and I think it was the best one yet," stated Hayden. "It seems like they just make it better every yea🐷r. They really treat us good, and we make a lot of friends, and it's great to see them each year. This is a great way to kick things off, but there's been enough talking about everything now. It's time to get out there and do the real thing. I look forward to it."

Rossi and Hayden will be back on track on t꧙wo-wheels when 2011 MotoGP testing starts at Sepang on February💫 1.