In a packed pressroom at Valencia after the final race of the 2003 season it was officially announced that World Champion, Valentino Rossi and Honda were not renewing any contract for the 2004 season.

Rossi appeared alongside the Repsol Honda Team’s Sporting Manager, Carlo Fiorani and Team Manager Shoji Tachikawa. He explained to the world’s press that he has loved his time at Honda but after winning three consecutive World Championships feels that the time is right to move onto a new challenge.

Fiorani thanked Rossi on behalf of all of Honda and finished up presenting the 24-year-old Italian with a painting signed by all his friends and colleagues at the Repsol Honda Team.

Carlo Fiorani, Repsol Honda Team Sporting Manager “Everyone in this room knows, indeed anyone with even the slightest interest in motorcycle racing around the world will know that we at Honda have been in contract negotiations with Valentino Rossi’s management for much of this season.

We at Honda have done everything in our power to secure Valentino’s services for next year. In the end we understand that it is not about money, sponsor obligations or any of the standard issues that are negotiated over in more general contract discussions. The area we have had difficulty in, is one of providing Valentino with a new challenge and it is an area we at Honda totally understand. This is totally a Valentino choice.

Throughout his career Valentino has moved onto a new challenge every season and in the end, it is this that Valentino seeks. In many ways his driving force is reflected in the spirit of this great company. Soichiro Honda who founded the business over 50 years ago understood and rejoiced in this spirit.

So, on the evening of the final Grand Prix of 2003, and Valentino’s 64th with Honda, we announce officially today that Honda and Valentino Rossi will not be renewing any contract for the 2004 season.

We are obviously very sad on the one hand to see Valentino go but feel that we as a manufacturer and Valentino as a rider part company as friends with the best memories of our time together. We now have to look forward to next season when we will gather a team of riders capable of retaining the World Championship for Honda.

I’d like to publicly thank Valentino for all the success and fun we’ve had over the last four years. The Honda / Rossi partnership has been an incredible one. Together we have won three World Championships, three Manufacturers Titles and 33 races in four very special years.

We have had this situation before when riders either move teams or retire. Mike Hailwood, Freddie Spencer, Wayne Gardner, Eddie Lawson, Mick Doohan and now Valentino Rossi.

On behalf of all at Honda, the racing community and fans worldwide I thank you for your efforts Valentino and I wish you well in the future and we look forward to the challenge of 2004 and beyond!”

Valentino Rossi

“I have to say thank you very much to Honda. It is true. Next year we don’t race together. For sure it has been a fantastic period for me to work together for four years. It’s been unforgettable. We’ve won 50% of the races when we have been together. The story is only four years but for me it seems much longer.

Together we start in 2000 with a new challenge with the 500. There were many problems to start with. Straight-away we were working with HRC and it as amazing. To work with HRC for a rider is like a dream. If you are able to give the right information to the engineers they are able to change.

At the end of the first year we arrive in second position in the championship and take more podiums than anyone else.

The next year I have a new NSR – after six or seven years of the old NSR. We win 11 races and the championship. It was a great championship as it was the last of the 500’s. The 500cc was the story of the sport. To win the last 500cc race was like a dream. Maybe one of the best races of my career.

After, we sign a new contract and we start another time from zero with the new 4 –stroke. I first ride at Suzuka in 2001 in August. It was already a good bike. But even at the beginning I was wondering if it was as good as the 500’s as it was not as fast. We work hard and the bike was ready for the first GP and we win. At the end of last season the Yamaha was at the same level and we make a good step over the winter in testing and arrive this season in good shape.

This year was great for me. We make many emotional races. We had a good second part of the championship. At a point after Sepang the idea arrived about making a change because we win in the dry, we win in the wet, we win at circuits I like and like today, we win at circuits I have not had such good luck at in the past. We finish our work with the bike.

So, we don’t race together next year. I try a new challenge. Maybe to make this choice at this point is a little mad. We see next year if it is possible or not. For sure all the fans will be happy, as it will make a great show! Unforgettable our time together. The HRC engineers, and all my friends at Honda.
Thank you all.”

From HRC