VR46 Archives

Dainese Lancarkan Suit dan Helmet Hari Lahir Valentino Rossi Ke-46

Suka atau tak suka, Valentino Rossi adalah legenda MotoGP. Tidak menghairankan bahawa masih terdapat banyak jenama yang berminat untuk terus bekerjasama dengannya, termasuk penyokong lamanya, Dainese. Dan untuk memperingati hari lahirnya yang ke-46, syarikat Itali itu telah melancarkan sut perlumbaan edisi terhad Soleluna Vale46 Anniversario dan topi keledar AGV (AGV di bawah Dainese).

Sut baharu itu menggunakan butiran rekabentuk tanda dagangan terkenal Rossi, seperti motif matahari dan bulan. Matahari dan bulan (oleh itu Soleluna) menandakan terang dan gelap, yang Rossi telah menyamakan personalitinya di dalam dan di luar trek.

Motif-motif tersebut menghiasi sut Dainese Demone GP D-air 3x, yang diperbuat daripada kulit kanggaru. Apa yang kita boleh lihat, sut itu mempunyai perincian emas yang lebih banyak berbanding kuning pendarfluor tandatangan Rossi, jadi pemakainya tidak kelihatan seperti ‘pen highlighter‘ sebagaimana pengulas MotoGP Julian Ryder menggelarnya. Topi keledar itu ialah AGV Pista GP RR, yang menampilkan asas hitam dan karbon dengan perincian daun emas yang unik bersama dengan warna kuning pendarfluor yang terkenal itu.

Hanya 46 set sut dan helmet ini akan dihasilakn. Bagaimanapun, Rossi tidak akan mendapat yang pertama. Sebaliknya, set yang pertama dengan nombor siri 01/46 adalah untuk lelongan amal khas yang akan memanfaatkan badan amal yang dipilih oleh Dainese dan The Doctor.

Ironinya, sut itu tidak sesuai untuk menunggang jalan atau trek mengikut Dainese, jadi ia adalah hanya untuk pengumpul. Mereka akan mula dijual di kedai Dainese yang dipilih khas, kedai VR46, muzium, litar lumba dan galeri seni. Setiap pembelian akan dilengkapkan dengan sijil ketulenan dan setiap sut serta topi keledar ditandatangani oleh Rossi sendiri. Pengilang tidak mendedahkan harga set sut dan topi keledar, yang bermaksud ia adalah sesuatu yang tidak dapat dicapai oleh kebanyakan kita (termasuk kami!).

Source: Visordown.com

Valentino Rossi 46th Birthday Race Suit Launched

Love him or loathe him, Valentino Rossi is a MotoGP legend. It is no surprise that there are still many brands that are keen to continue working with him, including his long-time supporter, Dainese. And to commemorate his 46th birthday, the Italian company has launched the Soleluna Vale46 Anniversario limited edition race suit and AGV helmet (AGV is under Dainese).

The new suit uses Rossi’s famous trademark design details, such as the sun and the moon motif. The sun and moon (hence Soleluna) signify the light and the dark, which Rossi has likened to his on and off-track personalities.

The design adorns the Dainese Demone GP D-air 3x suit made, which is made from kangaroo hide. From what we can see, the suit has more gold detailing than Rossi’s signature fluorescent yellow, so the wearer does not look like a ‘highlighter pen’ as MotoGP commentator Julian Ryder called him. The helmet is an AGV Pista GP RR, which features a black and carbon base with unique gold-leaf details along with that famous fluorescent yellow hue.

Just 46 pieces of the suit will be built. However, Rossi will not be getting the first one. Instead, the first suit with serial number 01/46 is for a special charity auction which will benefit a charity selected by Dainese and The Doctor.

Ironically, the suit is not suitable for road or track riding according to Dainese, so it is a collector piece. They will though be going on sale at specially selected Dainese outlets, VR46 stores, museums, racetracks, and art galleries. Each purchase will be completed with a certificate of authenticity and each suite and helmet are signed by the man himself. The manufacturer did not reveal the suit and helmet set’s price, which means it is something it is going to be out of reach for most of us (us included!).

Source: Visordown.com

Monster Energy Yamaha Team Drops VR46 Racing Apparel

The Monster Energy Yamaha Team will drop VR46 Racing Apparel as their team apparel’s supplier beginning the 2025 MotoGP season. It is the end of a 4-year partnership.

Instead, Italian sportswear brand Macron will be the team’s official apparel partner. Macron will take on the role of sponsor and official supplier of team clothing, designing and producing official products and corporate uniforms, including racewear and travel gear. The company will also provide new uniforms for the Yamaha Motor Corporation and Yamaha Motor Racing.

This separation with VR46 Apparel adds to the list of Yamaha’s severance with Valentino Rossi’s various business projects. Previously, Yamaha also announced the termination of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp, a young racer development program based at the VR46 Riders Academy facility for their Moto2 racing team.

As a step forward, Yamaha will rely on cooperation with its new satellite team, Pramac Racing, to develop young talent at pre-MotoGP level.

This decision also breaks rumors that the VR46 Racing Team will become a new Yamaha satellite team. On the other hand, VR46 chose to stay with Ducati, considering that the performance of Ducati motorbikes is much more competitive than Yamaha.

In fact, the relationship between VR46 and Ducati is increasingly close. Starting next season, VR46 will be the only Ducati satellite team that is supplied with the latest motorbikes, on par with the factory team. Full support will be given to Fabio Di Giannantonio, while Franco Morbidelli, a former Yamaha racer, will use a Ducati motorbike from this season.

Valentino Rossi dan Francesca Novello bakal Menyambut Anak Kedua

Juara dunia sembilan kali Valentino Rossi dan Francesca Novello bakal menyambut anak kedua mereka.

Rossi mengumumkan berita gembira itu dalam akaun media sosial X dengan beberapa gambar dan kapsyen “La Franci è incinta, aspettiamo un’altra bambina,” yang diterjemahkan kepada “Franci hamil, kami menjangkakan seorang lagi gadis kecil.” Ya, anak pertama mereka juga seorang perempuan, bernama Guilietta.

Foto-foto menunjukkan Rossi berpakaian seperti seorang doktor yang dikaitkan dengan nama samarannya “The Doctor” ketika berlumba. Foto ini meniru foto ketika dia mengumumkan anak pertama mereka pada 2021. Dia bersara daripada perlumbaan motosikal profesional tidak lama kemudian.

“È sicuramente una femmina Dottore!”
La Franci è incinta,aspettiamo un’altra bambina ? pic.twitter.com/jV7fOkuUrc

— Valentino Rossi (@ValeYellow46) July 4, 2024

Walaupun masih mengekalkan jawatan sebagai duta Yamaha, “The Doctor” ialah pemilik pasukan VR46 Racing Team yang menggunakan jentera Ducati di dalam kejuaraan MotoGP.

Selain itu, Rossi telah beralih kepada perlumbaan kereta dan telah mencapai beberapa keputusan yang baik.

Beliau kini merupakan pemandu GT3 pasukan pengilang untuk BMW. Beliau memulakan kerjaya GT3-nya dengan pasukan WRT dan Audi pada 2022, tetapi pasukan itu beralih kepada BMW tahun lepas untuk menghadapi usaha pengilang dalam kelas Hypercar di dalam Kejuaraan Endurans Dunia (WEC). Oleh itu, pertukaran kepada BMW dalam GT3 adalah sebahagian daripada pakej tersebut.

Memandu BMW M4 GT3, Rossi telah menaikki podium beberapa kali dalam siri GT World Challenge Europe (GTWCE), termasuk dua kemenangan, kedua-duanya di Misano.

Tahun ini, beliau berganjak ke WEC segaris dengan penglibatan beliau di dalam GTWCE. Rossi meraih podium pertamanya awal tahun ini pada pusingan kedua di Imola. Malangnya, BMW #46 miliknya terlibat dalam kemalangan berbilang kereta di Spa. Perlumbaan Le Mans 24 Jam baru-baru ini menyaksikan keretanya mendahului beberapa kali sebelum terlibat dalam satu lagi kemalangan berbilang kereta.

Valentino Rossi and Francesca Novella Expecting their Second Child

Nine times world champion Valentino Rossi and Francesca Novello are expecting their second child.

Rossi announced the good news in his X social media account with several pictures and the caption “La Franci è incinta, aspettiamo un’altra bambina,” which translates to “Franci is pregnant, we are expecting another little girl.” Yes, their first child was also a girl, named Guilietta.

The photos show Rossi dressed as a doctor attributing to this nickname “The Doctor.” These photos mimic the ones when he announced their first child in 2021. He retired from professional motorcycle racing soon after.

“È sicuramente una femmina Dottore!”
La Franci è incinta,aspettiamo un’altra bambina ? pic.twitter.com/jV7fOkuUrc

— Valentino Rossi (@ValeYellow46) July 4, 2024

While still retaining his ambassadorship for Yamaha, “The Doctor” is the owner of the VR46 Racing Team that races Ducatis in MotoGP.

Apart from that, Rossi has turned to car racing and has achieved several good results.

He is currently a factory GT3 driver for BMW. The Italian began his GT3 career with the WRT team and Audi in 2022, but the team switched to BMW last year in order to take on its factory World Endurance Championship (WEC) effort in the Hypercar class. As such, the switch to BMW in GT3 was part of the package.

Driving the BMW M4 GT3, Rossi has finished on the podium multiple times in the GT World Challenge Europe (GTWCE) series, including two wins, both at Misano.

This year, he stepped up to WEC in combination with his GTWCE commitments. Rossi scored his first podium earlier this year at round two in Imola. Unfortunately, his #46 BMW was involved in multi-car crashes at Spa. The recent 24 Hours of Le Mans saw his car leading several times before being involved in another multi-car crash.

Valentino Rossi Named Yamaha’s Brand Ambassador

Yamaha has appointed racing legend Valentino Rossi as its brand ambassador.

Rossi retired in 2021 with Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT).
The Italian rider continue to ride Yamaha motorcycles at his VR46 Moto Ranch.

The Italian rider spent the majority of his MotoGP career with Yamaha, winning four world championship titles with the manufacturer. Rossi retired from racing in 2021, but he has continued to maintain close ties with Yamaha, occasionally riding Yamaha machinery at his VR46 Moto Ranch.

Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis expressed excitement about the appointment, stating that Rossi and his YZR-M1 shared a special bond.

“We always considered Valentino as ‘family,’ and as soon as he expressed his desire to keep using Yamaha bikes and to become a brand ambassador, we went to work to make it happen,” said Jarvis.

Rossi has also collaborated with Yamaha on the Master Camp Moto2 Team and occasionally used Yamaha bikes for his “training and leisure” purposes. The new partnership with Yamaha only strengthens their already strong ties.

Rossi expressed his pleasure at the new role, stating that he had always planned to keep riding motorcycles even after retiring from MotoGP.

“During my MotoGP career, I rode Yamaha bikes as part of my contract. But even after retiring, I kept using Yamaha bikes because I enjoy it. I’m happy that the agreement is now signed, so Yamaha and I get to work together in this new set-up,” said Rossi.

The appointment of Rossi as Yamaha’s brand ambassador is a significant moment for both the manufacturer and fans of motorcycle racing. Rossi’s passion for the sport and his close ties with Yamaha make him the perfect candidate for the role.

VR46 Racing Ducati Retains Luca Marini And Marco Bezzecchi For 2023

VR45 Racing Ducati has officially announced the decision to retain Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi for the 2023 MotoGP World Championship.

Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi to continue their partnership ahead of the 2023 season.
Bezzecchi currently leads the rookie standing after maiden MotoGP podium at the Dutch GP.

The announcement is a positive step from team Mooney VR46 Racing Ducati ahead of the new season with the pair showing good results throughout the team inaugural season in the premier class.

Marini showcased an impressive performance in the second half of the season with two consecutive P4 in Austria an Misano.

“I am very happy to be able to announce the renewal with the Mooney VR46 Racing Team also for 2023.

“It is important to give continuity to this working group and to the Ducati project that is leading us to obtain good results and to fight for the podium in this final of season.

“We are a rookie team, it is the first year that we have all worked together, and we will continue to use this method to achieve great satisfactions already in this 2022 and in the future together with Vale, whom I thank for this opportunity, and the VR46 Riders Academy that always supports me.

“Closing the current season in the best possible way and restarting strong next January is the goal: we want to fight for the positions that matter, the podium and the victory in every GP and as the best Independent Team of the Championship,” said the 25-year-old.

Meanwhile, Bezzecchi currently leads the rookie standings boosted by his maiden MotoGP podium at the Dutch GP.

“I’m so happy to confirm and announce, at the same time, that the agreement I signed last year was for two years, so in 2023 I will continue riding for the Mooney VR46 Racing Team on the Ducati!

“I’m proud to wear and represent the colours of the VR46 family, Vale and the VR46 Riders Academy, that have been always supporting me, together with the Team and personal partners,” he added.

Valentino Rossi’s Final MotoGP Chequered Flag To Be Auctioned Off

If you are an ultimate Valentino Rossi fan, this could be the chance for you to pick up something unique from the legendary Italian MotoGP racer.

the Day of Champions is an auction event held to raised money for Riders for Health.
Ross’s final chequered flag from the 2021 Valencia GP is up for grabs.

The Day of Champions auction will return to full capacity this year at the British GP, which takes place at the iconic Silverstone next weekend.

Taking place on Thursday – a day before MotoGP’s official free practice session – the Day of Champions auction give fans the opportunity to get up close to riders ahead of the race and bid on racing memorabilia.

Organized by Two Wheels for Life, the fundraising entity will use the money raised during the auction for Riders for Health, who will then use the fund to help their efforts in helping healthcare workers in Africa.

So what’s in store for prospective bidders? Firstly, the bike which Alessandro Botturi won the Tunisia Desert Challenge this year, the Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid, is up for auction.

Secondly, the chequered flag, which marks Rossi’s final race at the 2021 Valencia GP, is also up for grabs.

Also on the list are the helmet Kenny Roberts wore at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year and a Ducati MotoX2 two-seater experience which allows you to experience the thrill of a MotoGP rider going around the track.

Other unique memorabilia for auction is Bagnaia’s signed race gloves and Jack Miller’s boots.

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi named Sporting Icon Of The Year

Retired MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi named Sporting Icon Of The Year at Laureus World Sports Awards 2022.

(more…)

MotoGP: Mooney Announced As Title Sponsor For VR46 Racing Team

After the endless saga with Saudi Aramco over the last few months, VR46 Racing Team has officially announced Italian company, Mooney as the team title sponsor for the 2022 MotoGP season.

Mooney will also be backing the Moto2 team with Celestino Vietti and Niccolo Antonelli.

“Following the agreement, the new team naming will be Mooney VR46 Racing Team and will be used in all images of the Team (including bikes and rider suits) and in all official communications. Further information will be revealed on January 3rd,” said VR46 in a brief statement.

Despite the uncertainty and almost weird situation with Aramco, the confirmation with Mooney is excellent news for Valentino Rossi and his team as they now can look ahead to compete the new season with Luca Marini and Marco Bezzechi onboard two Ducatis.

The saga with Aramco began in April 2021 with a press release that said: “In 2022 the VR46 Team will debut in the MotoGP class together with Tanal Entertainment Sport & Media with Saudi Aramco, as the new Main Sponsor for the period 2022-2026.”

However, the Saudi Arabian oil giant later denied any involvement and continued to deny it had agreed on a deal with Tanal or VR46.

Yamaha YZF-R1 GYTR VR46 Penghargaan Khas Untuk Valentino Rossi

Yamaha telah menghasilkan YZF-R1 GYTR VR46 sebagai penghargaan khas kepada Valentino Rossi yang telah pun bersara dari MotoGP.

Model khas itu didedahkan di EICMA 2021 yang sedang berlangsung di Milan, Itali , ketika ini.

Sebagai penghargaan terhadap pencapaian Rossi – dengan sembilan kejuaraan dunia merangkumi kelas MotoGP, 250cc dan 125cc serta 115 kemenangan dan 235 podium dari 425 perlumbaan – Yamaha menghasilkan jentera R1 khas yang turut memaparkan ‘livery’ khas hasil rekaan Aldo Drudi, individu penting dibelakang setiap rekaan helmet AGV dipakai Rossi.

Selain itu, R1 GYTR VR46 ini menampilkan segala aksesori GYTR 2022 hasil daripada pembangunan di Kejuaraan Superbike Dunia (WorldSBK) 2021 yang telah pun membantu Yamaha muncul juara menerusi Toprak Razgatlioglu, baru-baru ini.

Jentera khas ini membolehkan Rossi terus menikmati mesin R1 dari Yamaha di litar lumba Misano tidak lama lagi.

Sementara itu R1 GYTR VR46 ini datang serba lengkap dengan kit fairing dan ‘subframe’ gentian karbon dengan tangki yang telah diperbesarkan kepada 22L.

Jentera ini juga dilengkapi dengan ECU REX 140 Marelli berprestasi tinggi yang menjaminkan penghasilan kuasa yang besar manakala sistem membrek dikendalikan kaliper jenama Brembo.

Berikut antara spesifikasi yang terdapat pada Yamaha R1 GYTR VR46:

suspensi Öhlins
sproket GYTR (depan dan belakang)
throttle elektronik GYTR
klac slipper GYTR
head gasket GYTR
kit radiator GYTR
set air funnel GYTR
pelindung brek GYTR
Sistem Akrapovic GYTR
Rim Marchesini GYTR

Jentara khas itu juga didatangkan dengan beberapa komponen WorldSBK antaranya enjin yang ditala mengikut standarda WorldSBK, kit ‘triple clamp’ boleh laras (offset 22.5mm x 27mm), kit sensir, penapis udara spec-WorldSBK serta papan pemuka Chrome Lite dengan GPS.

MotoGP: Rossi Casually Unveil Marini And Bezzechi As VR46 Ducati Riders

VR46 Racing will debut in the 2022 MotoGP World Championship with Luca Marini and Marco Bezzechi, as confirmed by Valentino Rossi.

VR46 will make its inaugural appearance in the premier class with the two Italian riders as one of the Ducati satellite teams.

In the latest update, Rossi casually unveils the 2022 riders lineup during a recent interview ahead of San Marino GP despite no confirmation.

“We have worked hard over the years because we knew that unfortunately, sooner or later, I would have to stop, but we have done a good job. We have a lot of very strong academy riders. Next year there will be four in MotoGP.

“Bagnaia and Morbidelli will be in the factory Ducati and Yamaha teams respectively, two of the best teams, so they will start with the clear objective of winning the world championship. Then we also have Luca and Bezzecchi with the Ducatis,” he said.

Bezzecchi was previously linked with a move to Sepang Racing Team (SRT), now rebranded as RNF MotoGP Racing for the 2022 MotoGP season.