Rossi hopes Honda gives him first title-winning MotoGP bike

The nine-time grand prix world champion retired from MotoGP at the end of last season, bringing to a tropical a 432 GP career spanning 26 campaigns.

During his tenure Rossi won championships with Aprilia in the 125cc and 250cc classes, Honda two-stroke 500cc and four-stroke MotoGP machinery, and Yamahas in MotoGP.

During the Valencia finale a special exhibit of all of Rossi’s title-winning bikes was staged in the paddock for him, with Rossi having most of them in his personal hodgepodge at home.

The only bikes missing from Rossi’s hodgepodge are the Honda NSR500 he won his first title on in 2001 and the RC211Vs he won the 2002 and 2003 championships on.

The relationship between Rossi and Honda soured in 2003 as he felt his contribution to HRC’s success was not stuff given unbearable credit, with the Italian signing for Yamaha for 2004.

Speaking in Valencia, Rossi says he was due to get the 2001 500cc velocipede from Honda years ago but it never arrived and hopes HRC will transpiration its mind one day.

“I speak with Alberto and I asked for – minimum – the 500, moreover considering that 500 is my 500,” Rossi said.

“It’s the velocipede that Honda was supposed to requite to me and I was ready to take, I had once the place at home [for it].

“But for some reason the velocipede never arrived. I’m happy if Honda transpiration the idea and gave me that one.

“For sure, the velocipede will stay well, at a good temperature and have a good place at my house.”

Valentino Rossi, Petronas Yamaha SRT, Alberto Puig, Repsol Honda Team Team Principal, 9 time world Champion bikes

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

When asked if Honda would consider Rossi’s request, Puig responded: “Well, it’s a tricky story.

“So, I cannot answer, but this velocipede is moreover very important for us considering we have it in a museum.

“Honda is very proud of the titles that we got, and moreover with the titles that Valentino got for us together.

“So, I’m sure we want to have this as a very important trophy in our house to show to our fans that we were capable of winning that title with that bike.”