Rossi's London Show Bikes: 2005 SPEED BLOCK SPECIAL YZR-M1 990CC

For the first time ever, eight of Valentino Rossi’s most successful and priceless race bikes will be brought together in a special one-off tribute to the G.O.A.T

Over the next few days, we’ll be going into detail on the bikes that will make their exclusive appearance at the London Motorcycle Show in February.

#5 – VALENTINO ROSSI’S 2005 SPEED BLOCK SPECIAL YZR-M1 990CC

Valentino Rossi remained an untouchable force in the MotoGP world championship in 2005.

So much so that he amassed an astonishing 367-points courtesy of another 11 wins that saw him defeat closest rival Marco Melandri by 147-points.

One of the most memorable moments from that stellar season came in the California sunshine at Laguna Seca when Rossi and teammate Colin Edwards ran a retro livery to commemorate Yamaha’s 50^th anniversary.

Rossi’s bike sported the nostalgic and striking yellow, white and black speed block livery that American icon Kenny Roberts made famous with his hat-trick of 500cc world titles as chief nemesis to British hero Barry Sheene in the late 1970s.

The one-off livery failed to inspire Rossi to victory though, with the glory taken by home crowd favourite Nicky Hayden.

Rossi would have the last laugh though when he took second place in the sauna heat of Sepang in Malaysia to win the title with four races still remaining.

His success meant he became only the third rider in history apart from Giacomo Agostini and Mick Doohan to secure five successive premier class titles.

 

Book your advance tickets to the show now and save! Visit MCNmotorcycleshow.com for more details.

 

Tomorrow, Rossi records his 69^th MotoGP win and finally breaks Giacomo Agostini’s long-standing record of 68 on his 2008 FIAT YAMAHA YZR-M1 800CC