Valentino Rossi finished the Valencia Grand Prix in tenth position, a top 10 in his bye-bye race where many wanted to be by Il Dottore ‘s side to show him their respect or just have a photograph with a motoring legend.
From Yamaha they have wanted to pay a special tribute to him with a letter “written” by his M1 , the model with which he won four championships and with which he wrote a large part of his history in the premier class, racing with it from 2005 to 2010, before from a brief split at Ducati to return in 2013 to his last race with his true love.
Next, the letter that Yamaha has sent:
Valentino, everyone has said goodbye to you. All that was missing was a farewell from someone you appreciate very much and here it is:
I can remember Saturday January 24, 2004 like it was yesterday.
Our first date in Malaysia. I’ve been waiting for someone like you for a long time.
I was nervous, but it was love at first sight for both of them.
I knew instantly that our relationship would be something really special.
We had that undeniable once-in-a-lifetime spark, and all the pieces of the puzzle just fell into place.
I will never forget how we stopped on the Welkom lawn in 2004 .
The two of us alone, realizing that you and I together were right, and that this was only the beginning.
We won four MotoGP titles and 56 races together.
We bring joy to millions of people around the world and create memories for a lifetime.
We made history, because we work as one and get the best out of each other.
You made me strong again.
You made them respect me again.
You made them love me again.
Only you, Valentino, had the power to do it.
And I fully trusted you.
I supported you wholeheartedly.
I fought all your battles with you.
Only I was able to make motorsport exciting for you until the end.
From our first kiss on the Welkom grass to our last dance in Valencia this year we have had many extraordinary adventures.
And then there were our special moments, like Laguna Seca in 2008 and Catalunya in 2009.
No one moved like us back then, right?
Also at Assen in 2009, when I helped you win your 100th race.
It was magical!
I’ve carried you through 16 years of your amazing career.
But you have also carried me in your heart.
From Mugello to Motegi, from Silverstone to Sepang and from Barcelona to Buriram, we have always been there for each other.
I have given you everything, as you did with me.
The one thing I will always treasure is our conversations at the grill.
It was you and me against the world.
You and I will “pilot or die.”
But alas, even the most beautiful love stories come to an end.
Valentine, you are part of me.
Part of my story.
Part of who I am today and who I will be long after we part.
Ours is a really special connection, and I’m going to miss you more than you’ll ever know.
Thanks, Valentino.
With love,
Tu YZR-M1
Photos: the drivers’ unforgettable farewell tribute to Valentino Rossi
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Media VR46
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: motosport.com
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Dorna
Photo from: motosport.com
Photo by: Dorna
Photo by: Dorna
