In the reunion with all the bikes with which he won the MotoGP World Championship, the Italian took the opportunity to ask Honda to specially give him the 2001 bike, the only title in the 500cc
Valentino Rossi still hasn’t forgotten the debt that Honda owes him. This Thursday (11), the Italian revealed that he asked Alberto Puig, head of the golden wing brand, to hand him the bikes of the 2001, 2002 and 2003 titles, but especially the bike of the first title, the legendary NSR500.
Dorna, promoter of the Motorcycle World Championship, promoted a reunion between the multi-champion and the nine motorcycles with which he was champion in his career. Valentino climbed onto each of the bikes, commented on them and classified the NSR500, for example, as a “legendary” bike.
Speaking to the press shortly afterwards, Rossi was asked if he planned to ask Honda for the only bikes it doesn’t have and revealed that he had already taken the opportunity to make the request to Puig, who participated in the previous event alongside Lin Jarvis, Yamaha director, and Massimo Rivola, sporting director of Aprilia.
Rossi reiterated that the NSR500 belongs to him, as Honda had promised to deliver the bike.
“I spoke to Alberto and asked, at the very least, for the 500cc,” he said. “Also because that 500cc is mine. It’s the bike Honda was supposed to give me. I was ready to receive her, I already have the place for her at home. But for some reason the bike never arrived.”
“I’m happy if Honda changes its mind and gives me that bike,” he commented. “For sure, the bike would be fine, with a good temperature. I have a good place for her in my house.”
Rossi won three two seven titles in MotoGP with Honda, but he was really marked by his long and victorious relationship with Yamaha.
The nine-time fabulous prix best on the planet resigned from MotoGP toward the finish of last season, concluding a 432 GP vocation spreading over 26 missions.
During his residency, Rossi won titles with Aprilia in the 125cc and 250cc classes, Honda two-stroke 500cc and four-stroke MotoGP hardware, and Yamahas in MotoGP.
During the Valencia finale a unique presentation of all of Rossi’s title-winning bicycles was organized in the enclosure for him, with Rossi having the majority of them in his own assortment at home.
The main bicycles missing from Rossi’s assortment are the Honda NSR500 he won his first title on in 2001 and the RC211Vs he won the 2002 and 2003 titles on.
The connection among Rossi and Honda soured in 2003 as he felt his commitment to HRC’s prosperity was not being given sufficient credit, with the Italian getting paperwork done for Yamaha for 2004.
Talking in Valencia, Rossi says he was expected to get the 2001 500cc bicycle from Honda years prior however it never shown up and trusts HRC will alter its perspective one day.
“I talk with Alberto and I requested – least – the 500, additionally on the grounds that that 500 is my 500,” Rossi said.
“It’s the bicycle that Honda should provide for me and I was prepared to take, I had currently the spot at home [for it].
“In any case, for reasons unknown the bicycle won’t ever show up. I’m cheerful assuming Honda change the thought and gave me that one.
“Without a doubt, the bicycle will remain well, at a decent temperature and have a decent spot at my home.”
MotoGP accelerates again next Sunday (14), for the last stage of the season, the Valencian Community GP, in Valencia. The GRAND PRIZE accompanies all the activities of the 2021 Motorcycle World Championship.