Motorcycling-Italy lauds 'Peter Pan' Rossi after eighth title

MILAN, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Italy has become so used to Valentino Rossi's success that news of his latest MotoGP title had to battle for column inches with the Milan soccer derby and a world road cycling title on Monday.

The 29-year-old, who wrapped up his fifth MotoGp title in Japan on Sunday, has been dominant on his Yamaha this season after two barren years.

Italians have become so used to Rossi winning championships that his victory was not even the lead sports story in most newspapers given AC Milan's 1-0 win over Inter and Alessandro Ballan's world road cycling title.

Nonetheless, the headlines still exuded Italian pride.

"Emperor Rossi," boasted La Stampa, "he was Peter Pan and now he is a man" it added in a reference to Rossi's boyish humour and occasional impetuousness.

It was also a nod to his naivety after he got in trouble with the Italian tax authorities and had to pay a huge bill.

"Sorry for the delay," read Rossi's T-shirt as he celebrated in Motegi, a reference to his late payment and the two years his fans had to wait for an eighth title.

He also joked that he would retire once his 11-year-old half-brother Luca Marini joins MotoGP. (Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Peter Rutherford)