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Valentino Rossi, sensational return to the track alongside Pecco Bagnaia

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Return to the saddle for Valentino Rossi, who for the first time in his very long careeri rode at the Mandalika Circuit in Indonesia, creating a special event that combined training, entertainment and passion. The nine-time world champion took to the track riding a brand-new Yamaha R1 GYTR, dressed in the unmistakable VR46 livery, and wearing a custom race suit made especially for the occasion.

Andrea GussoniCrowd bath for Valentino Rossi and Team VR46: photos of the presentation of the special livery for Mandalika

Great excitement in Indonesia for the arrival of Valentino Rossi and Team VR46 drivers, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli
The nine-time world champion arrived in Mandalika to present the special livery of his team'Indonesia" />
The nine-time world champion arrived in Mandalika to present the special livery of his team'Indonesia

The livery adds to the yellow of the VR46 the colors of the Indonesian flag, white and red

For the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing team the one in Mandalika is a kind of home grand prix
In 2024 Morbidelli (then in the Pramac team) finished in the top 5 in both the Sprint Race and the Sunday race
Also last year, Di Giannantonio was less fortunate: for him ninth place in the Sprint, retirement in the Sunday race

The popularity of the team in Indonesia is huge, also thanks to the media reach of its founder
The team founded by Valentino Rossi aims to surprise on the circuit that from 2022 hosts a MotoGP race
Among those present, of course, also the team manager Alessio Salucci, for all Uccio
The goal of Rossi is to get prestigious results in this season finale, setting the stage for further improvement in 2026

Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio were also able to briefly visit the'town area near the circuit
Both riders enjoyed a ride on the Bajay, the iconic Indonesian three-wheeled taxi

Waiting to fly to Sepang for pre-season testing, Rossi and the VR46 Riders Academy riders chose Indonesia as a preparation stop. With him on track were some of the current MotoGP stars, such as Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini, as well as Andrea Migno and young Matteo Gabarrini. The group was in Lombok to meet the training program organized by Pertamina Enduro, title sponsor of the VR46 team.

The initial plan called for three days of on-track activities, but bad weather forced a stop in the first two, making it impossible for the sessions to take place. On today’s day, however, the weather finally improved: sunshine and ideal conditions allowed riders to get back into action, riding around the circuit on road bikes and making the most of the time available. The event, called “Pertamina Enduro VR46 Riders Academy in Mandalika,” represented more than just a training session.

In addition to allowing the Academy riders to regain their feeling for the track and better prepare for the official MotoGP tests, the program also included coaching sessions dedicated to ten young Indonesian riders. A rare and valuable opportunity to learn directly from Valentino Rossi and his team, breathing first-hand the mentality and working method of the best.

An intense and meaningful day, then, marking the Academy’s return to the track after its stop due to bad weather and the concrete beginning of the path towards the new MotoGP 2026 season, under the Indonesian sun and with Valentino Rossi once again taking center stage.

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