Rossi's enforced holiday almost over.

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi's enforced holiday is almost over as he prepares to make his long awaited debut on the M1 Yamaha at Sepang in Malaysia towards the end of January.

Rossi's enforced holiday almost over.

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi's enforced holiday is almost over as he prepares to make his long awaited debut on the M1 Yamaha at Sepang in Malaysia towards the end of January.

The 24-year old London-based Italian stunned the Honda factory when he announced he was leaving them to join rivals Yamaha at the beginning of November, having only just clinched a third successive world title for his long-time employer. Rossi blamed a breakdown in communications with Honda Racing bosses as the reason for his departure, but also admitted the chance to bring Yamaha their first world championship success for ten years was a challenge he could not resist.

"I can never resist a challenge and it's going to be very, very exciting to race the Yamaha, especially against the Hondas and Ducatis," said Rossi, who dominated the MotoGP championship last year, winning nine grands prix en route to his fifth world title.

"When I won the 250cc championship, Aprilia wanted me to stay another year and defend the title, but I joined Honda to ride in the 500cc championship, and next year will be a similar challenge."

It was the biggest motorsport transfer since Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher left Benetton to join Ferrari, and Yamaha is hoping that Rossi can bring similar success to his German counterpart. Obviously, Honda is not so keen....

The factory refused Rossi's request to begin testing with Yamaha before his contract officially expired at the end of December, leaving the frustrated world champion kicking his heels while his new team-mates and the other teams tested throughout the world before Christmas. Now, however, the long wait is almost over for the rider who has spearheaded the massive worldwide interest in MotoGP.

Rossi's incredible popularity was never better emphasised than with the attendance at last year's Cinzano British Grand Prix at Donington Park in July. Three years ago, the event attracted a paltry 25,000 spectators. Last year, 107,000 attended - with the 72,000 race day crowd bigger than its Formula One counterpart at Silverstone.

Rossi starts his Yamaha career in Malaysia on Saturday 24 January, with the first outing of a three-day test. His fans can be assured that that long and frustrating enforced wait will instantly be forgotten the moment he starts a new chapter of an incredible career that has brought him 59 grands prix victories and five world titles.

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