vassilis88
01/02/2007, 13:49
απο κρας.νετ κ μοτοτζιπι.κομ
Rossi extends Yamaha deal to 2008.
Rossi, Jerez November MotoGP Test 2006
Rossi, Valencia MotoGP 2006
The MotoGP pit lane congratulates Valentino Rossi on his brave second place finish, despite a fractured wrist, in the 2006 British Grand Prix (pic: Alwynn Morris).
In something of a surprise move, Yamaha has announced that superstar Valentino Rossi has extended his current MotoGP contract until the end of 2008.
The news terminates any speculation that the Italian, whose five-year reign as premier-class champion came to an unexpected end at the hands of Nicky Hayden last season, will switch to rallying or any other form of motorsport at the end of this year - when his previous contract had been due to expire.
'The Doctor', who has won a total of seven world titles in the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and (990cc) MotoGP classes, turns 28 this month and currently stands third in the all-time grand prix winners list heading into the first year of 800cc racing. Rossi is also one of the most popular and highly paid motor-sportsmen in the world.
"I'm very happy I renewed the contract with Yamaha until the end of 2008 so now I can just concentrate on racing this season," said Rossi, suggesting that the early contract extension was done to avoid the kind of publicity that surrounded his proposed F1 switch during 2006. "I think that last year, when we fought back from what seemed an impossible situation to come so close to taking the title, showed what a fantastic team we are and this is why I want to stay with Yamaha.
76561
Rossi extends Yamaha deal to 2008.
Rossi, Jerez November MotoGP Test 2006
Rossi, Valencia MotoGP 2006
The MotoGP pit lane congratulates Valentino Rossi on his brave second place finish, despite a fractured wrist, in the 2006 British Grand Prix (pic: Alwynn Morris).
In something of a surprise move, Yamaha has announced that superstar Valentino Rossi has extended his current MotoGP contract until the end of 2008.
The news terminates any speculation that the Italian, whose five-year reign as premier-class champion came to an unexpected end at the hands of Nicky Hayden last season, will switch to rallying or any other form of motorsport at the end of this year - when his previous contract had been due to expire.
'The Doctor', who has won a total of seven world titles in the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and (990cc) MotoGP classes, turns 28 this month and currently stands third in the all-time grand prix winners list heading into the first year of 800cc racing. Rossi is also one of the most popular and highly paid motor-sportsmen in the world.
"I'm very happy I renewed the contract with Yamaha until the end of 2008 so now I can just concentrate on racing this season," said Rossi, suggesting that the early contract extension was done to avoid the kind of publicity that surrounded his proposed F1 switch during 2006. "I think that last year, when we fought back from what seemed an impossible situation to come so close to taking the title, showed what a fantastic team we are and this is why I want to stay with Yamaha.
76561