Nine-time MotoGP->ke1254 world champion Valentino Rossi ->ke1462 was quite the busy bee over the weekend. First, he went out and took care of business, albeit controversially, by winning the Assen Grand Prix and extending his lead in the world championship race. But as soon as the race ended, Rossi immediately boarded a plane and headed to the UK to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed->ke3879.

Believe it or not, it was actually Rossi’s first-ever appearance at the event. Think of that how you will, but the important thing is that his debut appearance came at the same time as Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd’s->ke301 60th anniversary. Either way, Rossi picked the right time to come as the event drew a star-studded lineup that included a day’s worth of VIPs, celebrities, and athletes.

Yamaha even dressed for its celebration, or at least dressed up Rossi’s Yamaha YZF-

M1 in a special yellow livery that commemorates the company’s 60th anniversary.

Ardent fans of Yamaha will likely recognize the color and livery of the bike as similar to the one Yamaha brought in 2005 when the company was celebrating its 50th anniversary at Laguna Seca. The suited up YZF-M1 was even accompanied in the Yamaha display area with other iconic Yamahas, including Phil Read’s 1965 RD56, Giacomo Agostini’s 1975 YZR500 OW23 and Kenny Roberts’s 1978 YZR750 OW31.

All in all, Rossi seemed to enjoy his first appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. He got to meet some of his peers in the racing world. He got to ride his YZF-M1 around the Goodwood course. Heck, he even managed to get behind the wheel of a Le Mans winning race car and a rally car.

I’d say that’s a weekend well-spent for the Doctor.

Continue reading to read more about Valentino Rossi's first appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Why it matters

You have to give it to Valentino Rossi for honoring his commitment to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed even though he had every excuse in the world to skip it.

But that’s why Rossi is considered one of the most popular motorcycle riders in history. He was invited by no less than Lord March to attend the festival and there he was.

Then again, Yamaha might have made him to it anyway since the company was celebrating its 60th anniversary during the event. It would seem a bit weird if the company was toasting its 60 years of existence and its most recognizable athlete isn’t even in attendance. But hey, Rossi showed up and he seemed to enjoy himself pretty well for someone who has actually never been to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

All in all, it was a pretty exciting weekend for everyone who showed up at the event. Then again, that’s what you can always expect from an event like the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Who knows, Rossi and the the MotoGP crew might even make it an annual gathering. Schedule permitting, of course.