Valentino Rossi at the 2009 TT

TT ORGANISERS have announced that eight-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi he will make his first visit to the world-famous Isle of Man TT races in June this year with Dainese, who recently renewed their current partnership with the Isle of Man TT races as Official Safety Partner for the second successive year. The company's founder and CEO Mr Lino Dainese will accompany Rossi and Italian legend Giacomo Agostini on this historic visit.

The Doctor of Tavullia, winner of 97 Grands Prix will attend the Dainese Superbike Race on Saturday 6th June with Agostini, who raced on the famous Mountain Course between 1966 and 1972, winning 10 TT races which then held world championship status.

Rossi will complete a memorable parade lap of the 37.73 mile (60.7 km) circuit before the start of the six-lap Dainese Superbike race. He will ride behind the course car on a 2009 Yamaha R1, flanked by eight of the famous Travelling Marshalls, who will be riding similar machines.

“I am fascinated by all sort of motorsport and the Isle of Man is a destination and a race I have wanted to experience for a long time,” commented Rossi. “Always the MotoGP schedule is very busy around this time of year, but this year the TT has moved dates a little and there is a week gap between Mugello and Catalunya, so now at last we have the opportunity!

“I have seen many famous images from the TT races,” he added, “and of course heard much about it from Giacomo and Mr Dainese who enjoyed the experience so much last year.”