ARMAGH motorcyclist David Hoy will meet nine-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi after he became the winner of Bridgestone’s European ‘Mission Rossi’ competition.
The 46 year-old will fly out to the Netherlands for the Assen round of the MotoGP championship, where he will receive VIP passes, accommodation and a private meet and greet with the Italian legend.
David, of Ballyleny Road, Richhill, entered the Bridgestone competition when he popped into his local tyre fitter, GM Tyres, recently. After purchasing a set of Battlax Sport Touring T30 tyres, he was automatically entered into the Mission Rossi giveaway.
He said: “I am still pinching myself. I have never won anything in my life. When I heard I had won the prize to meet Valentino Rossi I was in total shock.”
It is not the first time he will rub shoulders with a talented biker; his brother-in-law is well known Irish road racer Alex Donaldson.
David added: “I got into biking when I got married 21 years ago. Watching Alex ride gave me the bug and I have been riding ever since. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be meeting Valentino Rossi as a result of being a biker. It is an incredible thought and can’t wait for Assen now.”
David visited GM Tyres to get his Honda VFR800 fitted with new tyres ahead of a biking weekend in the Isle of Skye.
Centre manager Philip Headley (pictured with David), recommended the Bridgestone T30 tyres to him.
“Philip said the T30s were better in the wet as well as the dry, so I decided to get them fitted,” said David. “I was also told I could win a prize to meet Rossi, but I didn’t think I’d have a chance!”
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