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MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi appointed Yamaha brand ambassador

After joining Yamaha in 2004 and winning nine Grand Prix Motorcycle World Champions in 2004, he transformed the Japanese brand and won back-to-back titles.

Rossi won two more for Yamaha in 2008 and 2009, taking seven wins in the premier class. Finished a MotoGP career with Mark End of 2021.

The Italian had two stints with Yamaha from 2004 to 2009 and from 2013 to the end of 2021 after two disastrous seasons with Ducati in 2011 and 2012.

Of his 89 MotoGP race victories, Rossi won 56 with Yamaha, making him the most successful rider in Grand Prix history.

Since retiring in 2021, Rossi has embarked on the GT World Challenge Europe car racing campaign with WRT and owns the VR46 team that competes in MotoGP.

Rossi has partnered with Ducati for his team debut in 2022, but has since appeared to have a satellite team again, which is why he has been linked to Yamaha switches. RNF Racing Switch to Aprilia in 2023.

VR46 Ducati’s deal runs until the end of 2024, but Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis said at the America’s Grand Prix that the Japanese manufacturer is unlikely to have a customer team next season.

Yamaha brand ambassador Valentino Rossi and Satoshi Ono

Photo courtesy of Yamaha

However, Rossi becoming a Yamaha brand ambassador can be seen as the first step towards a VR46 satellite partnership for 2025.

“Of course, this is a great moment for Yamaha and an emotional development for the fans, who will miss Valentino’s presence in MotoGP after retiring from a successful career,” said Jarvis. rice field.

“There was a special bond between Valentino and his M1. His arrival at Yamaha completely changed the MotoGP racing programme, making Valentino and Yamaha almost synonymous.

“Together we have achieved many wins, podiums, four championships, and behind the scenes moments, not just hard work, but the fun part and the shared passion for racing.

“We have always considered Valentino to be ‘family’ and as soon as he expressed his desire to continue using Yamaha bikes and become a brand ambassador, we worked to make that happen. We are delighted to announce that has officially become our ambassador. ”

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Yamaha and VR46 currently have a partnership in the MotoGP paddock in the form of Moto2’s Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team.

Rossi’s team currently leads the rider standings in MotoGP. Marco BezzecchiRossi leads the championship by three points ahead of Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/motogp-legend-valentino-rossi-becomes-yamaha-brand-ambassador/10463079/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=RSS-ALL&utm_term=News&utm_content=uk MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi appointed Yamaha brand ambassador

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