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Nine-time grand prix motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi joined Yamaha in 2004 and helped transform the Japanese team’s form by winning back-to-back titles.
In conjunction with the Spanish MotoGP, Yamaha announced the appointment of Rossi as the brand’s ambassador. The appointment sent the crowd roaring but this partnership did not come as a surprise to many.
Rossi and Yamaha need no further introduction and Rossi’s name has been synonymous with Yamaha throughout his 25-year career as a rider. Rossi spent 16 of those years with Yamaha. He won four world championships with Yamaha for the 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Despite having retired from MotoGP, Rossi is still comfortable with Yamaha machines. The Italian is fond of the Yamaha R1, Yamaha YZ450F and various motocross models from Yamaha. In fact, Yamaha also supplies motorcycles for riders at the VR46 Riders Academy. Yamaha supports the establishment of Yamaha VR46 Master Camp and VR46 Motor Ranch. The VR46 programmes aim to train the new generation of riders.
After retirement, he continues to ride Yamaha motorcycles because he is comfortable with the brand. Now with the re-established cooperation, it is expected to bring many benefits to both.
“Of course, this is a great moment for Yamaha. It‘s also an emotional development for the fans. I‘m sure miss Valentino‘s presence in MotoGP since he retired from his successful career,” Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis stated.
“Valentino and his M1 shared a special bond. His arrival at Yamaha was the catalyst that completely changed our MotoGP racing programme. It was to the point that Valentino and Yamaha almost became synonymous.
“We always considered Valentino as ’family‘, and as soon as he expressed his desire to keep using Yamaha bikes and to become a Brand Ambassador, we went to work to make it happen. We are thrilled that Valentino is now officially our ambassador.”
Yamaha also emphasized that Rossi and Yamaha have a very special bond. The presence of Rossi in the Yamaha camp in MotoGP changed their pace so that both managed to embrace success after success.
Yamaha also stated that Rossi has always been part of the Yamaha family and that his desire to become a brand ambassador has full support from Yamaha.