Valentino Rossi joins fellow Yamaha racing legends to ride classic Grand Prix machinery at Jerez

Nine-time Grand Prix world Champion, Valentino Rossi joined a number of Yamaha owners on an exclusive track event at Jerez, sampling a number of iconic 500GP two-strokes alongside the likes of three-time GP champ Luca Cadalora, and six-time World Superbike series winner Jonathan Rea.

The Doctor tried out classic racers including Eddie Lawson’s 1986 championship-winning YZR500, with the spectacle making up part of the exclusive Yamaha Racing Experience (YRE).

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This year’s event was held at the iconic Circuito de Jerez Angel Nieto, in Spain, earlier this month and was free to attend for 2024 R1M and R1 GYTR PRO 25th Anniversary buyers. It attracted over 100 owners who were able to share the track with Valentino and a roster of other stars.

Yamaha’s WorldSBK riders were also present, and owners enjoyed a comprehensive track programme with riders, including Rossi, on hand for selfies and autographs throughout, including an exclusive dinner.  

The Yamaha Racing Heritage Club was also present, enabling the spectacle of legendary racers taking to the track on some of Yamaha’s most iconic race machines. For Valentino, it was first time he’d ridden a 500cc GP bike since MotoGP switched to four-strokes in 2002. 

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“I have never been to an event like this in my whole life,” commented Jonathan Rea. “The whole event offers awesome opportunities for everyone. Even for me, being on track with Valentino was an incredible experience! The R1M owners have been fantastic, and I hope they all had as much of a good time as I did.” 

“This is easily the best Yamaha Racing Experience I have been to,” Rea’s team-mate Locatelli added. “Where else can you get an experience like this? From being on track with everyone to the dinner to the meet and greet sessions, the whole event offers a great experience from start to finish.”