Marco Bezzecchi
Pablo Nieto has revealed what Valentino Rossi really thinks about his VR46 MotoGP team.
Rossi, 47, is arguably the best rider in MotoGP history, having won seven world titles, including five in a row from 2001 to 2005, as well as winning in 2008 and 2009.
During his career, Rossi represented Honda, Yamaha and Ducati before ending his MotoGP stint in 2021.
Back in 2014, Rossi founded VR46 in order to promote young Italian talents in Grand Prix racing.
Since 2021, VR46 have taken part in MotoGP, with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli as their current riders.
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Pablo Nieto was ‘thrilled’ after Valentino Rossi told him what he truly thinks of VR46
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, VR46 team manager Nieto revealed that Di Giannantonio’s win in Barcelona was ‘special’.
He also added that he was ‘thrilled’ when Rossi told him what he really thinks of VR46.
Speaking to Spanish news outlet AS, Nieto said: “The truth is, it was a very special Sunday. Especially because of how the race went, how Sunday unfolded, and the seriousness of the situation, with Diggia involved in the accident.
“It was something very special to end up winning. It’s true that, until I arrived at the hotel Sunday night, I didn’t really understand what had happened.
“I didn’t see any of the replays they showed because I was trying to get Diggia’s bike ready; he also hurt his finger a little. We were getting everything sorted out, and I didn’t see the replay or anything.
“All I kept asking was how much time was left before we could go back out. So, with all the tension and stress, I couldn’t see everything properly until I got to the hotel.”
When asked if it was cool having Rossi there when the team won the Catalan Grand Prix, Nieto said: “Yes, especially because it’s exciting that he’s here, that he sees the team we are.
“He already knows, right? But I was really thrilled when he came and told me, ‘We’re a great team’.”
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Nieto went onto the podium to celebrate Di Giannantonio’s victory, reflecting on the experience, he said: “Yes, and it’s something I’d never done in MotoGP.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t usually go up there, and I prefer that the team members go up; I’ll have time for myself later.
“But it’s true that I’d never been up there in MotoGP, and we were in Spain, in Barcelona, so I said, ‘This time I’m going up’.”
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