PH flag to podium finish: Valentino Rossi

Who ever said promises were made to be broken?

For many politicians, this infamous phrase applies very well. But for Movistar Yamaha team rider Valentino Rossi, promises are as sacred as his passion for motorcycle racing.

So, at the Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix last Sunday, the nine-time world champion rode his YZF-M1 race bike to second place with the Philippine flag proudly placed just below the right side of motorbike’s windscreen.

It was the second podium finish for the 38-year old Yamaha rider in this year's race. During the opening round at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, Vale bagged the third position behind his teammate Maverick Viñales and Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso.

Deeply overwhelmed by Pinoys’ warm reception and solid support to the Movistar Yamaha team when he visited Manila last January 28, the Italian rider vowed to put the Philippine flag on his race bike in this year’s MotoGP. “This year, I will race with the Philippine flag on my bike,” said Rossi when he and Viñales graced the opening of the Yamaha One Make Race in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Rossi’s visit to the Philippines early this year was his second.

For the second time, Viñales took first place in the Argentine Grand Prix after other MotoGP power riders Marc Marquez (2016 world champion), Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Dovizioso figured in a crash.

Reports said the estimated number of viewers for each MotoGP race average to some 320 million. These motorcycle fans are coming from at least 180 countries.

With these, do you now feel Rossi's amor to his Pinoy fans?