MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi symbolically receives the key to the city in his home town – Brake manufacturer Brembo honours Rossi with special trophy
The MotoGP circus pitched its tents at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this weekend for the San Marino Grand Prix. On Thursday evening, however, interest shifted from the circuit’s paddock (which is actually in Santa Monica) to Tavullia, Valentino Rossi’s hometown, just 15 kilometres away.
During a solemn ceremony entitled “Tavullia Vale”, the most famous son of the community of 8,000 inhabitants was symbolically presented with the key to the town. The key presented was a custom-made titanium piece.
Rossi was joined on stage by the riders currently active in the motorbike world championship who come from the VR46 academy: MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia, his colleagues Marco Bezzecchi, Luca Marini and Franco Morbidelli, as well as Moto2 rider Celestino Vietti and Moto3 rider Andrea Migno.
With father Graziano Rossi, helmet designer Aldo Drudi, Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta, FIM President Jorge Viegas, Rossi’s long-time buddy and current VR46 team boss Alessio “Uccio” Salucci and last but not least thousands of enthusiastic fans watching, Rossi received the key to the city from the hands of Tavullia’s mayor Francesca Paolucci.
Tavullia’s mayor thanks Rossi for his services
“Tavullia is proud to have a citizen like you, Valentino. You made us known all over the world,” Paolucci said, calling the key “a recognition that the city feels called to do. “
“The reason is obvious,” said the mayor. “Tavullia is known all over the world. Everywhere in the world you can find someone with the number 46. You have made us known all over the world. You are a legend and we are very proud that Tavullia has a citizen like you and that we have you by our side in everyday and extraordinary things. We will never be able to show you enough pride, but we try. “
Rossi himself returned the thanks directly: “I am very happy. Thank you. I was really wondering what the advantage of the key was! Now I can open and close the walls of the city. So if you want to get in, you have to ask me!”
“Thank you to my fans who have supported me throughout my career all over the world,” Rossi said. “It was great to have all this support even at circuits quite far away, not to mention Misano and Mugello. To get this support, it was a crazy feeling. Thanks to everyone, see you soon!”
Brembo honours Rossi with special trophy
Aside from the formal ceremony in Tavullia, there was a second award for Rossi at the ongoing MotoGP weekend in Misano. On Friday afternoon, he was presented with a special trophy from Brembo at the race track. On the one hand, it consists of a brake disc from a 125cc motorbike from 1996, and on the other hand, a brake disc from a MotoGP motorbike from 2021.
Of course, this is no coincidence. In his active career in the motorbike world championship, which spanned 26 years from 1996 to 2021, Rossi was always at the start with brakes from Brembo. The Italian manufacturer has been the official brake supplier for all teams for many years.
As far as Rossi is concerned, all his successes, first and foremost his nine World Championship titles and his 115 Grand Prix victories, have been achieved with Brembo brakes. As a thank you, “The Doctor” was able to receive his special trophy on Friday from the hands of Brembo managers Mario Almondo and Mauro Piccoli.
