The relationship between Valentino Rossi and Honda was never idyllic. This was true back when the nine-time champion was winning aboard the Japanese bike and (inevitably) became even more valid once the Italian moved to Yamaha, winning right from season one. In 2003, tensions in the garage grew, the Honda managers and engineers tending to highlight the performance of the bike rather than that of the rider. Rossi moved to Yamaha also as a way of showing Honda that the rider was still key when it came to winning, and that the victories with Honda had essentially come down to his talent. During an interview with MotoGP.com, the Italian champion explains that he didn’t feel respected at Honda.

Rossi at odds with Honda: "They thought they’d win with Gibernau and Biaggi"

The nine-time champion has spoken about his years with the Tokyo-based manufacturer, revealing the way he was treated was not exactly in line with the results achieved: "The Honda was the bike to beat. But they thought that if I left, they’d win with other riders, like Gibernau and Biaggi. They didn’t treat me like a champion and I had to thank them if I won. That’s why I decided to leave". History shows that Rossi was right, and the relationship with Honda was never restored. And the fact that the Japanese manufacturer chose not to gift him the bikes with which he won the 2001 to 2003 titles only confirms this.

Mick Doohan on Rossi’s side: "There was no respect at Honda"

And the Italian’s opinion is shared by Mick Doohan, the legendary Australian Honda rider and winner of five world titles and 54 races: "There was some arrogance at Honda, they were too confident. They didn’t show respect for what Valentino Rossi did for them". This situation, which led to the Italian’s move to Yamaha, would contribute to him becoming the very face of MotoGP and create a precedent that is still very much alive (fortunately) in the world championship, or rather the importance of the rider over that of the bike, a cardinal principle of racing and one that is underestimated in other motorsport competitions.

Translated by Heather Watson

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