STEZZANO, Italy – Renowned Italian motorcycle racing legend Valentino Rossi was honored by Brembo for his exceptional career on two wheels, during which he clinched nine world-championship titles.
Brembo, a leading manufacturer of braking systems, has been an integral part of Rossi’s journey, ensuring top-notch braking performance throughout his illustrious racing career.
The tribute took place at the Misano circuit, coinciding with the Grand Prix of San Marino on the Rimini Riviera. This location held special significance as it served as a homecoming for both Rossi, hailing from nearby Tavullia, and Brembo, headquartered in the province of Bergamo.
Daniele Schillaci, Brembo’s CEO, lauded Valentino Rossi, stating, “Valentino Rossi is simply one of the greatest chapters in the history of Italian motorcycling. It is an honor for us to be able to award him with this unique trophy, which underlines his unbreakable bond with Brembo. I thank Valentino on behalf of the company for having always been with us and for allowing us to bring continuous innovation to every type of sports bike on which he has competed and won.”
Throughout his storied career, every motorcycle ridden by Rossi has been equipped with Brembo brakes. This includes bikes from various manufacturers such as Cagiva, Aprilia, Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati, spanning different classes and competitions, including MotoGP.
The commemorative trophy holds historical significance, crafted by Brembo using components from Rossi’s initial braking system in 1996 during his debut in the 125 class and components from the braking system he employed during his final MotoGP race in Valencia in 2021.
Valentino Rossi’s career boasts an impressive array of records, including 432 Grand Prix races participated in, with more than 6,350 points earned. He secured victory 89 times in the premier class and 115 times across all classes.
Notably, he graced the podium an astonishing 235 times, with 176 appearances in MotoGP alone, a record in itself. Rossi’s remarkable achievement also includes a remarkable streak of 23 consecutive podium finishes from the 2002 Portuguese GP to the 2004 South African GP.
One of Rossi’s most notable distinctions is being the sole world champion to conquer four different classes: 125, 250, 500, and MotoGP.
Additionally, his sporting longevity is unparalleled, spanning an impressive 20 years and 311 days, from his first World Championship win in the Czech Republic GP in 1996 to his final triumph in the Dutch GP in 2017.
Remarkably, amidst changing categories, teams, tires, fuel, and suspension over 26 World Championships, Rossi never wavered in his choice of brakes, consistently relying on Brembo to deliver optimal performance during extreme braking moments on challenging circuits across the globe.
Over the course of his 26-season career in the World Championship, Valentino Rossi utilized Brembo brakes on more than 110,000 occasions. This extensive usage, including free practice, qualifying sessions, and warm-ups, led to the wear and tear of over 450 front discs, more than 1,000 brake pads, and a staggering 280 liters of brake fluid, solidifying his enduring partnership with Brembo.
