“The TT Circuit is the best circuit in the world.” Opinions differ of course, but if The Greatest of All Time it says, will it be true? Valentino Rossi, one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time, spoke these words in Assen last year. The Italian was then made an honorary citizen of the city for his achievements on the Drenthe circuit.
The fact that the track in Assen is his favorite track probably also has something to do with his great successes on that asphalt. He won the TT no less than ten times: once in the 125cc, once in the 250cc and eight times in the premier class: the MotoGP. Rossi is incredibly popular in Assen. Why actually? And why was Rossi so successful? What made him unique as a driver? RTV Drenthe is looking for the answer to those questions in a special podcast about Rossi and the TT: ValenTTino – Rossi, King of the TT†
In the four-part series, journalists Roy van Gool and Frank Andringa speak to people who have experienced Rossi up close or who have followed Rossi from a distance. For example, think of mechanic Robin Spijkers and former drivers Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Barry Veneman. But also to commentators such as Peter Bom (formerly Eurosport, now Ziggo Sport) and Hans van Loozenoord (NOS). And of course fans such as Marijn Wever (who also set up the special Rossi stand) and track commissioner Jan Siegers tell us what Il Dottore (The Doctor) made it so special.
The podcast can be heard from June – the TT month.