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I started to read this article and thought great, BUT as I read through it I thought Hmm it could have been written from a different angle as it appears to me that it just steers towards Corporate publicity. What do you think?
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi will ride the iconic Isle of Man TT course in June it has been confirmed.
It will be the eight-time MotoGP World Champion’s first visit to the TT and his lap of the Mountain Circuit will bring together two of the biggest names in motorcycle racing.
The 30-year-old will arrive in the Isle of Man on Saturday June 6 with fellow Italian Grand Prix legend Giacomo Agostini, who is no stranger to the TT. Ago race in the Isle of Man from 1966 to 1972, winning 10 TT races when the event held World Championship status.
The pair will lap the 37¾-mile course ahead of the Dainese Superbike race. Rossi and Agostini will ride 2009 Yamaha R1s behind the course car, flanked by Travelling Marshals riding similar machines.
Rossi, who has already own 97 GPs in his illustrious career, is excited about his first visit to the TT.
He said:
‘I am fascinated by all sort of motorsport and the Isle of Man is a destination and a race I have wanted to experience for a long time.’
‘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 to see this famous event!’
‘I have seen many famous images from the TT races, and of course heard much about it from Giacomo and Mr Dainese who enjoyed the experience so much last year.’
Dainese renewed its current partnership with the Isle of Man TT races in April and will be the Official Safety Partner for the second successive year. The company’s founder and CEO Lino Dainese will accompany Rossi and Agostini on this historic visit.Mr Dainese added:
‘This is the second year of being the Official Safety Partner to the Isle of Man TT Races and is a very big challenge for our company: we want to give a strong signal to our commitment of safety.’
‘We continue with our research and development programme of the D-air system, and at the TT Races we will cooperate again with our rider Guy Martin who gave such valuable feedback at last year’s event.’
‘Our research will continue also at Grand Prix circuits this year with Valentino Rossi’s support too.’
‘We are delighted he can be with us at the TT this year to highlight the general commitment of all our pilots, together with D-tec (Dainese Technology Center) to make a step forward in motorbike protection.’
After the Dainese Superbike race there will be a press conference involving Mr Dainese, Agostini and Rossi outlining Dainese’s future commitments to further improving safety for people who love active sports before the VIP group leave to return to Italy.Rossi’s appearance has been made possible because of his involvement with Dainese. Yamaha and MCN have also been involved in setting up the trip, working with the Isle of Man Government.
Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle said:
‘The TT has a long history with Italy and Italian riders including Carlo Ubbiali, Tarquinio Provini and of course Giacomo Agostini.’
‘It is fantastic that another one of the ultimate motorcycling champions will be visiting the Island this year and I’m sure that everyone will give him a fantastic reception along with Giacamo Agostini.’
‘We are incredibly grateful to our partners Yamaha and particularly Dainese for making this trip happen. It represents and excellent opportunity to promote the Isle of Man and the TT Races to a global audience.’
To celebrate his visit, there’s a selection of Valentino Rossi merchandise available from the iomtt.com shop, as well as an extensive range of Official TT products.Wouldn’t it be great if some of the ‘front line’ stars could be tempted to race once more at the TT, it HAS happened before, I was there to see Phil Read and Mike Hailwood’s return in the late 70’s/ early 80’s. [
]Oh happy days[]Original article:
I would be fascinated to see Rossi and full racing speed on the TT course, shame it will never happen. I have not been to the IoM since 87 (the Manx) and would love to go again
It may be the world’s greatest road race rather than MotoGP, but eight-time world champion Valentino Rossi was the man who took centre stage at the Isle of Man TT on Monday.
Other world circuit stars such as Colin Edwards, Carl Fogarty, Noriyuki Haga and even legendary American Freddie Spencer have visited the event in recent years, but none has attracted the attention and adulation afforded to the charismatic Italian.
Valentino Rossi congratulates Monday’s Superbike winner John McGuinnessRossi is the one name in motorcycle racing that every sports fan recognises.
Therefore, the TT organisers were keen to parade the legendary 30-year-old before media and fans alike after he watched Monday’s Superbike TT at Ago’s Leap, in the company of compatriot Giacomo Agostini, a 10-times TT winner.
The iconic bike ace says he has always been a fan of the island races and wooed the assembled press corps with his renowned humour and easy-going manner.
“I have seen the TT on television and on DVDs so I knew more or less what to expect but to witness it in real life is completely different,” said Rossi.
“I have huge respect for the racers who ride this circuit flat out on a Superbike as it requires massive courage and concentration.
“It is dangerous and unbelievably fast and entirely different from the kind of track I am used to racing on.
“It’s a great spectacle but difficult to learn in one lap so I would like to do five or six the next time I come over, not to race though!”
The winner of 98 Grands Prix races added that he particularly admired the exploits of record 26-time TT winner Joey Dunlop.
Valentino Rossi during his lap at the Isle of Man TT course on MondayValentino Rossi during his lap at the Isle of Man TT course on Monday
“Unfortunately I never knew Joey personally but I remember well that he was ‘The King of the Mountain’ and rode in that famous yellow helmet.“I know all about his success on the Isle of Man and he was a real legend.”
Earlier, the reigning MotoGP champion had been engulfed by eager photographers, all jostling for position as he took to the famous tarmac on Glencrutchery Road to take in a parade lap with Agostini.
The reception from the spectators reflected their respect and admiration for one of the all-time greats of racing – even if many of them are more accustomed to saluting the achievements of those who ply their trade between the hedges and stone walls.
Autograph hunters swarmed round Rossi like bees around a honey pot and programmes were waved by the tens of thousands of fans around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course as Rossi completed a lap of the circuit, periodically waving back enthusiastically.
Those partaking of the event’s hospitality had their turn too, receiving their hero without the reserve normally associated with the more corporate element of major sporting events.
History and nostalgia are very much part of the TT make-up, with classic machines and appearances by former riders the norm, but this occasion was very much about the present and the future.
The sight of a current world champion taking to the course which hosted the British round of the world series until 1976 evoked memories of the likes of Hailwood and Agostini.
However, it also symbolised a revival in the fortunes of an event which had been on the decline, marginalised from the mainstream of motorcycle sport.
A show of support from a living legend, regarded by many as the greatest motorcycle racer of all-time, is just another stage in the rehabilitation of the profile of the famous event
Source: https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/8090246.stm
I see your point about the ‘corporate publicity’ angle but I guess that’s the way it all works these days.
That’s a cracking picture of him cornering, he’s almost lying down.
How long before they build a conventional circuit over there on the Island? A Moto GP round there would draw huge support. It can NEVER happen on the road circuit, but a convential track would be a fantatic addition. I think there is a small curcuit there, but what they need is something like Donington, Snetterton, Cadwell or Mallory. The traditional TT and Manx could continue unaffected
That option has been talked about for many many years but never of course taken up. Yes I think its a slendid idea. Did you know that the original use of the mountain circuit was for cars which preceeded the bikes by just a few years, back then they raced for the ‘Gordon Bennett Cup’.
The Manx is of course still a Grand Prix, but in name only.
]Oh happy days[
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