Retro Rumble: Valentino Rossi and Racing Legends Bring Classic Yamahas to Life at Jerez Track Day

Valentino Rossi experiences riding a traditional 500cc two-stroke GP motorcycle for the first time since 2001

Antique Yamaha motorcycles return during an exceptional track day event

Valentino Rossi and Jonathan Rea spent a day racing together, reviving old Yamaha models for the occasion.

Legendary MotoGP racer Rossi, who has claimed the world champion title nine times, was accompanied by Rea, a six-time World Superbikes champion, and Cadalora, who has won the championship three times.

Rea's colleague in the Yamaha World Superbike team, Andrea Locatelli, along with Dominique Aegerter, who has won the WorldSSP championship twice, were also present on the track.

Yamaha's champions of the FIM Endurance World Championship – Niccolò Canepa, Karel Hanika, Marvin Fritz, and Robin Mulhauser – joined forces with an elite group of riders.

Yamaha revives legendary two-strokes for track day

Yamaha showcased several of its most legendary two-stroke motorcycles from the last 20 years at the Jerez circuit track day.

Eddie Lawson's iconic YZR500s, specifically the 1986 0W81 with which he clinched the championship, and the 1987 0W86, drew significant attention.

Cadalora's YZR250 0WB9 from 1990 was additionally stored in the garage.

Classic motorcycles once ridden by Max Biaggi made an appearance as well. Reproductions of Biaggi's 2001 YZR500 0WL6, including one adorned in Alex Hoffman's team colors, were popular among attendees.

Three replicas of the YRHC TZ750 took vintage to an even higher level. One was modeled after the motorcycle Giacomo Agostini rode to his last race victory in 1977. Another replicated the bike used by Christian Sarron during his 1977 Formula 750 Championship win, while a third was inspired by the machine Johnny Cecotto rode to his Formula 750 championship victory in 1978.

Rossi took to the track on Lawson's YZR500 from 1986, experiencing his initial ride on a 500cc two-stroke GP motorcycle since the shift to four-stroke engines in MotoGP starting in 2002.

Rea took a spin on Lawson's 1987 0W86 alongside Cadalora on a YZR250, crafting a mesmerizing scene as the trio of white-and-red Yamaha two-stroke motorcycles blazed through the Jerez track.

"Being on the YZR500s and having Valentino right ahead of me was truly an unforgettable, surreal experience," Rea expressed.

Rea had the opportunity to ride the TZ750 replica of Agostini, which was a nostalgic experience for him. He expressed, “It was a unique experience for me to ride the Giacomo Agostini TZ750, because my father once owned one and even sponsored Joey Dunlop when he competed with it, which made it a very sentimental experience.”

Locatelli took a ride on Biaggi’s 0WL6 replica, which is among the final bikes from the two-stroke era.

"Riding that bike was incredible," Locatelli remarked. "Growing up, I used to watch his races on television and dream about being on that exact bike.

"The experience didn't let me down. It was incredibly speedy, with the tires and brakes performing well. Truly, taking it for a spin around Jerez felt like fulfilling a dream."

Canepa characterized the Biaggi replica, stating, “The power delivery is so forceful, one must exercise great caution.

"However, once you get a grasp of the engine's personality, you truly begin to appreciate it, and the performance it provides is outstanding."

"Additionally, the audio quality is phenomenal! Riding this bike feels surprisingly light and enjoyable, especially when compared to contemporary models. Getting the chance to ride one of the final two-stroke 500 GP motorcycles was truly an experience of a lifetime."

Locatelli spoke about Agostini's YZR750 replica, noting, "It's quite a departure from my usual ride, yet it's incredibly powerful. The riding technique required is distinct, but I found it thoroughly enjoyable!"

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