Get ready for an exciting weekend as the legendary Valentino Rossi's 100km dei Campioni returns for its 11th edition! This unique dirt track race, held at Rossi's Moto Ranch in Tavullia, promises an action-packed spectacle. But here's the twist: it's not just about the speed demons; it's a team effort!
The event, a true celebration of motorcycling, has a rich history. It all began in 2014, a year after the VR46 Riders Academy was officially established. And what a start it was! A young Nicolo Bulega, then a rising star at the Academy, teamed up with Lorenzo Baldassarri to claim the inaugural victory.
But it was Rossi himself who dominated the early years, claiming six wins on his 'home' turf. Most of these victories were shared with his younger brother, Luca Marini, making it a true family affair.
However, Rossi's reign wasn't without challenges. Franco Morbidelli and Mattia Pasini managed to snatch a rare win from him in 2017, and Baldassarri and Elia Bartolini repeated the feat in 2022.
And this is the part most people miss: Rossi, known as 'The Doctor,' retired from MotoGP at the end of 2021, but his racing spirit lives on. He took his most recent victory in the 2024 edition, once again with Marini by his side.
The 10th edition, held in 2025, saw a breakthrough as Diogo Moreira and Thomas Chareyre formed the first non-Italian winning duo. A sign of things to come, perhaps?
Now, as we gear up for the 11th edition, Moreira and Chareyre are back, and they're joined by an impressive lineup of six current MotoGP riders, including the talented LCR Honda rider Moreira.
So, who will etch their names into the history books this year? Will Rossi's dominance continue, or will a new champion emerge? The stage is set, and the action is about to unfold.
Stay tuned, and don't forget to share your predictions and thoughts in the comments! Are you Team Rossi, or do you think it's time for a new champion to rise?
