Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Thanks Rossi for 15 Unforgettable Years

The conclusion of the 2020 MotoGP season also brings an end to Valentino Rossi’s contract with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP team. All involved, including ourselves at ENEOS Motor Oil, extend a heartfelt thanks to Valentino for his 15 years of outstanding hard work, dedication and passion.

Without doubt, Valentino is the greatest rider of his generation and possibly of all time. He had been a key member of the Yamaha family during two Grand Prix stints, initially riding for Yamaha from 2004-2010 and then returning for 2013-2020. Looking back on an incredibly successful term, the team celebrated the MotoGP legend and the remarkable achievements they’ve had together. Rossi’s list of results with the Factory Yamaha team is extensive: He earned four World Championship Titles, secured 56 victories and 142 podiums across 255 GPs.

The entire Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP team celebrated this momentous occasion by visiting the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP garage to show their appreciation for Valentino, presenting him (and a number of other highly-esteemed colleagues who are also leaving) with parting gifts.

“This is an important moment, the end of our long journey together,” said Rossi. “Our history, divided into two parts, is like a good movie. We wrote history during the first part, the beginning, from 2004 to 2010, and won a championship for Yamaha.

But I’m also very proud of the second part: Lin [Jarvis] and Yamaha gave me a chance to come back to the Factory team, which I’ll always be thankful for and will never forget. This return lasted eight years and was more difficult in terms of results, but I’m still appreciative of all the support from everyone. I may not be with the Yamaha Factory Racing garage next year, but I’ll stop by and say hello.”

Rossi and the departing team members have always demonstrated hard work, professionalism, dedication and passion for the Factory Yamaha MotoGP team, and their stellar contributions and results will forever remain a part of Yamaha’s racing legacy.