Valentino Rossi to ride at TT!

MotoGP megastar Valentino Rossi will ride with 10-times TT winner Giacomo Agostini for a full lap of the 37.73-mile Isle of Man mountain circuit on June 6, just before the start of the six-lap Dainese Superbike race at the TT, MCN can exclusively reveal.

MCN will be accompanying the MotoGP star to report on every second of his historic first visit to the Island. Rossi has wanted to visit since he was a boy – and the trip is thanks to a partnership between Dainese, the Isle of Man, Yamaha and MCN.
Rossi said: “I am fascinated by all sorts of motorsport and the Isle of Man is a destination and a race I have wanted to experience for a long time.”

He added: “The MotoGP schedule is very busy around this time of year, but this year the TT has moved dates a little and there is a week gap between Mugello and Catalunya, so now at last we have the opportunity!”

“I have seen many famous shots from the TT races,” he added, “and of course heard much about it from Giacomo and Mr Dainese who enjoyed the experience so much last year.” (The boss of Dainese accompanied Agostini to the TT in 2008.)

Rossi and Agostini will ride 2009 Yamaha R1s behind the course car, followed by eight travelling marshals, also on Yamaha R1s. Dainese has renewed its safety partnership with the Isle of Man TT and is main sponsor of the superbike race.
The Isle of Man TT’s Minister for Toursim and Leisure, Martin Quayle said: “It is fantastic that one of the ultimate motorcycling champions will be coming to the Island.”

Following the ride, Rossi will watch the Superbike race kerbside on the circuit before a press conference with fellow Dainese racer and TT star Guy Martin.

For further information on this year’s Isle of Man TT races, go to www.iomtt.com

You can read the full exclusive story of Valentino Rossi’s TT experience as it happens, only in MCN and online at www.motorcyclenews.com. Plus, more from Rossi on his TT plans next week.

Further reading:
Rossi | Agostini | Dainese | Yamaha | R1 | Rossi ‘Every motorcyclist has heard of the TT’