I’ve been riding a Yamaha for nine seasons, but Sunday will be the last time I get on the M1. It will be a really weird sensation. I’ve spent a third of my life here. We’ve lived more than 150 races, and we’ve achieved 43 victories and 3 World Championship titles. We’ve fallen many times, but we always got up together and continued experiencing amazing things (including a few with some traces of anesthetic still in my blood…) These nine years will be a part of me forever. Unrepeatable. Unforgettable.
I want to thank Yamaha, and especially Lin Jarvis, for having given me the opportunity to join the factory team when I was only 19, and hadn’t even achieved my first 250 title in 2006.
I also want to recognize the care and effort of my mechanics – those who have been there from day one and those who have arrived later, and the Japanese engineers who have always given me a winning motorbike. It would not have been possible without you: thank you all!
I’m leaving Yamaha with my head held high, with a good conscience after having given my best in every session and every race since my first in 2008. I’m really proud of everything I have experienced here, which has made me become a better rider and person.
From next year on, I’ll be facing new challenges, but we still have a last objective with Yamaha: let’s try to win the last race of the season. That would be a very beautiful parting gift for those who have believed in me.
See you on the track!