MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi revealed that his first 500cc take a look at in 1999 was virtually a catastrophe had it not been for 2 unlikely names on the time.
Rossi signed for Honda to race in MotoGP from the 2000 marketing campaign for what was ostensibly a satellite tv for pc group, having received the 125cc and 250cc titles in 1997 and 1999.
Learn extra: Remembering Valentino Rossi’s ‘culture-changing’ Yamaha MotoGP transfer
His first take a look at of the NSR500 he would trip in 2000 and 2001, the final of MotoGP’s 500cc period, got here at Jerez on the finish of his 250cc title profitable yr.
Talking with Andrea Migno’s podcast final yr, Rossi’s supervisor agreed with Aprilia for him to make use of its fits within the take a look at – however he left them at dwelling, earlier than additionally discovering out that he had no helmet to make use of.
“The primary 500cc take a look at was stunning,” he started.
“Once I arrived to Jerez on the finish of 1999, I had two Honda fits. My supervisor had agreed with Aprilia that I’d use their go well with.
“I bought to Jerez with two Honda fits, model new, however I couldn’t use them. I left the Aprilia go well with at dwelling.
“I borrowed Marcellino Lucchi’s go well with. I referred to as a pal in Tavullia and mentioned ‘we’ll put you on an aeroplane, carry us the Aprilia go well with!’
“I opened my bag. There have been eight visors however no helmet! I already had a second of panic as a result of I didn’t carry the go well with.”
Rossi and his inside circle got here up with a small mislead get themselves out of hassle.
He mentioned: “We had a second of genius – ‘they stole my helmet!’ So, I used to be saved like this. However I didn’t have a helmet.
“In my first 500cc take a look at I wore Marcellino Lucchi’s go well with, and Gregorio Lavilla’s helmet. He was a Kawasaki Superbike rider who had his personal helmet.
“I mentioned to Lavilla ‘can I borrow a helmet as a result of mine was stolen?’
“The primary time I attempted the 500cc is a second in any rider’s profession you always remember. Fuck, whenever you give it fuel…
“I keep in mind the texture of the monitor was getting tighter, smaller, a pleasant feeling. You get used to the velocity.
“On the second day, when my go well with and helmet got here to me, I additionally went quick. At Phillip Island I used to be additionally quick.”
Lucchi was energetic in grand prix racing from 1982 to 2004, scoring a sole victory in 1998 within the 250cc Italian Grand Prix.
Lavilla was British Superbike champion in 2005 for Ducati, and now acts as Dorna’s World Superbike govt director.
