Valentino Rossi to attend Isle of Man TT.

Reigning six time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi will make his first visit to the world-famous Isle of Man TT races in June this year - and complete a parade lap of the 37.73 mile (60.7 km) road circuit.

The appearance has been arranged by Dainese, which recently signed on as Isle of Man TT Safety Partner for the second successive year. The company's founder and CEO Mr Lino Dainese will accompany Rossi and fellow Italian legend Giacomo Agostini on this historic visit.

Rossi, 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 circuit before the start of the six-lap Superbike race. Rossi 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."

After the Superbike race there will be a press conference involving Valentino Rossi, Giacomo Agostini and TT star Guy Martin (pictured with Rossi) outlining Dainese's future commitments to further improving safety for people participating in motorcycle sports.

"This is the second year of being the Official Safety Partner to the Isle of Man TT races and is a very big challenge for our company: we want to give a strong signal to our commitment of safety," commented Mr. Dainese.

"We continue with our research and development programme of the D-air system, and at the TT races we will cooperate again with our rider Guy Martin who gave such valuable feedback at last years event.

"Our research will continue also at grand prix circuits this year with Valentino Rossi's support too. We are delighted he can be with us at the TT this year to highlight the general commitment of all our pilots, together with D-tec [Dainese Technology Center] to make a step forward in Motorbike protection."