Rossi given M1 during Yamaha celebration.

2004 MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi made a historic journey to Yamaha's head office today in Iwata, Japan, today - where he received a personal 'thank you' and then a special present from company president Mr. T. Hasegawa.

The flamboyant Italian arrived at Yamaha Motor Company's Communication Plaza by helicopter, where he was greeted by the huge applause of management and factory staff.

After receiving a personal message from Mr. Hasegawa, Rossi then made a number of appearances throughout the Yamaha complex before participating in the official press conference.

It was at that moment that Mr. Hasegawa presented Rossi a certificate of ownership (lower pic) for a YZR-M1 - the very YZR-M1 which he piloted to his sixth world title!

"Valentino Rossi is more than the world's best motorcycle racer; he is a personality that is not limited to just the confines of the MotoGP championship," explained Mr. Hasegawa.

"From the moment you work with Rossi you instantly become a fan, and you are naturally driven to give more than 100 percent to support him," he admitted.

"It is this very trait, and his ability as a rider that led to him winning the world title in his first year (with Yamaha)," he stated. "Because of this skill and personality I am proud to present Valentino with the YZR-M1 as a sign of our appreciation for his efforts this year."

"This is the best gift I could wish for," replied Rossi. "I must say thank you to Yamaha and Mr. Hasegawa for giving me my very own M1 to take home. I'm not sure where I will keep it, maybe next to my bed, or maybe in a safe at a bank!"

Rossi was then taken on a private tour of the Yamaha prototype factory where the components of his M1 are produced, before attending an official Yamaha championship celebration dinner in his honour in nearby Hamamatsu.

Rossi and Yamaha's Factory Team will now head to Malaysia for a test at the Sepang circuit next week, where Rossi will make his second outing aboard the 2005 prototype YZR-M1.