It was Valentino Rossi’s first WDW (World Ducati Week) at the Misano World Circuit and while many thought (us included) that he’d get ripped apart by thousands of unsatisfied Ducati racing fans over his lagging performance in MotoGP, instead the former World Champion was treated like a superstar and bathed in the adoration of fans who flocked around him wanting his autograph.
Following the Diavel Drag Race on Saturday where he finished second behind Troy Bayliss, Rossi spoke to Sky Sport and said, “This is the first time I’ve been here, it was a fun, and exciting with so many people.
It’s a shame Troy beat me in the final, it would have been nice to score a win, but he got a better start! Anyway, it’s a great event for a great ‘family’ I really enjoyed it.
”When he was asked if he would mind leaving Ducati (Rossi has said that we will known his decision at Brno) he commented, “Yes, absolutely, in the sense that it would be nice to continue and try to make the bike go fast and partly because, as I said, Ducati fans are special, because owning a Ducati isn’t just a technical choice, but practically a religion.
” Regarding the 1199 Panigale that he and team mate Nicky Hayden got a chance to ride at the event (see the photos) he said, “I started by testing the Panigale, and although we didn’t have many laps, Nicky and I did some wheelies and some drifting.
It’s small and fast, really fast, and it’s also beautiful, an absolutely fascinating bike.
” After the jump a highlight video of Day 3 (Saturday) of this year’s WDW.
