Ducati MotoGP Night saw 38,000 fans (not bad considering that it’s still winter) turn up in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore pre-season event to send off MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden, before the 2011 championship kicks off March 20th.
The last time Ducati held such a big event was in December 2007 when they celebrated their first World title with Casey Stoner.
While fan favourite Nicky Hayden already know what it is to be part of the Ducati family, but it was really the first time for Valentino Rossi to be hailed as a Ducatista by the fans of the red planet.
It was big event for Rossi and Hayden who toured the Borgo Panigale factory and museum (as if they haven’t already been there and done it before) and then the usual press conference before heading to Piazza Maggiore for the real party.
Rossi talking to the workers saying, “It’s great to be here.
I’d like to say thank you to everyone.
We all look to do well in our work and the bikes you make are really beautiful.
Carry on doing a great job here and we’ll try to do a great job for you on the track.
”While Nicky Hayden said, “It’s really very special to be here.
I’ve worked for other manufacturers, but Ducati is really unique.
The bikes are special, the people that work here are special and now let’s hope that we can give them the special results that they deserve.
I’m very happy to be here today, happy to ride the Desmosedici and happy to be a part of this team.
I know very well how hard the season will be, MotoGP is never easy, but that’s why we love it.
The last tests in Malaysia were difficult, but our team spirit is always positive.
Today we were in Ducati, saw the factory and the enthusiasm of all the people there and now I’m just waiting to get back on the track and give all the Italian fans the results they deserve.
” “Our visit to Ducati today was really emotional,” declared Rossi.
“For many years I’ve raced for other motorcycle manufacturers and visited their factories, but for sure the atmosphere was never like this.
Today was like returning home and I’m very happy to be working with an Italian team this year.
The people we met today have a great passion in what they do and pride in who they are and now we have to be fast on the track, have some great races and give everyone motivation.
”
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