2004 MotoGP world cha𝓀mpion Valentino Rossi made a historic journey to Yamaha's head office today in Iwata, Japan, today - where he received a personal 'thank you' and then a special present from company president Mr. T. Hasegawa.

The flamboyant Italian arrived at Yamaha Motor Company's Communication Plaza by helicopter, where he was greeted by the﷽ huge app𝔍lause of management and factory staff.

After receiving a⛦ personal message from Mr. Hasegawa, Rossi then made a number of appearances throughout the Yamaha complex before participating in 𒈔the official press conference.

It was at that moment that Mr. Hasegawa presented Rossi a certificate of ownership (lower pic) for a YZR-M1 - the very YZR-M1 which he piloted to his si♋xth world title!

"Valentino Rossi is more than the world's best motorcycle racer; he is a persona🎐lity that is not limited to just the confines of the Mo𒈔toGP championship," explained Mr. Hasegawa.

"From the moment you work with Rossi you instantly become a fan, ꧅and y💟ou are naturally driven to give more than 100 percent to support him," he admitted.

"It is this very trait, and his ability as a rider that led to him winning the world title in his first year (with Yamaha)," he stated. "Because of this skill and personality I am proud to present Valentino with the YZR-M1 🅺as a sign of our appreciation for his efforts th𓄧is year."

"This is the best gift I could wish for," replied Rossi. "I must say thank you to Yamaha and Mr. Hasegawa for giving me my very own M1 to take home. I'm not sure where I will keep it, maybe next to my bed, or ma🅘ybe in a safe at a bank!"

Rossi was then taken on a private tour of the Yamaha prototype f🔜actory where the components of his M1 are produced, before attending an offi🔯cial Yamaha championship celebration dinner in his honour in nearby Hamamatsu.

Rossi and♈ Yamaha's Factory Team will now head to Malaysia for a test at the Sepang circuit next week, where Rossi will make his second outing aboard the 2005 prototype YZR-M1.