Valentino Rossi's departure to Yamaha after the 2003 season is one of the greatest racing drivers in MotoGP history.
Since the transition from 2-stroke engine to 4-stroke, you could say Honda has not been overtaken.
After triumphing with the NSR-500 from the 1990s, Honda continued to succeed with the RC211V that was very gahar at the time.
The question is, why Valentino Rossi want to move from the manufacturer of Honda to Yamaha which is practically still below the level at that time?
Various versions appear about this furore.
Valentino Rossi also did not explain the special reason why choose leave Honda.
In a statement in various media, Valentino Rossi admitted that he wanted to find a new challenge after winning all with Honda.
Valentino Rossi with NSR500 at Nastro Azzurro Honda
It was echoed Valentino Rossi to silence various speculations that have been circulated.
"My work is done, I'm a HRC racer until December 31, 2003 so I can not comment yet, but I can only say that this is a big challenge," Valentino Rossi said in November 2003, quoted by Crash.
In fact, the facts revealed about the departure of Valentino Rossi this.
First, Valentino Rossi's relationship with the Repsol Honda team and Honda's top brass were not very good at the moment.
Rossi reportedly upset with the idealism of Honda officials who glorified NSR500 and RC211V motor that prevailed at that time.
Honda subordinated the racer's role to the team's success over the past few years.
Valentino Rossi felt less appreciated by high-ranking Honda.
Honda RC211V when used Valentino Rossi
In addition, there are some written and unwritten limits for Valentino Rossi as a Honda rider.
Reportedly, until the activities outside MotoGP and celebration Valentino Rossi victory questioned.
Valentino Rossi also admitted that the new contract discussions with Honda stuck and finally could not accept Honda's new contract.
How can Yamaha come and enter Valentino Rossi's mind?
At that time there were two high-ranking Yamaha teams, Lin Jarvis and Davide Brivio (now team boss Suzuki Ecstar), managed to hold a secret discussion with Valentino Rossi.
Valentino Rossi originally hesitant, especially because the Yamaha motor is considered not as good as Honda at that time.
Valentino Rossi in 2004
But back to the notion of The Doctor that not only the motor that plays a role to make him more confident.
Valentino Rossi finally managed to prove that the racers also have a big role in the championship, not just the bike.
After that Valentino Rossi managed to bring Yamaha into the best team beyond Honda.
Valentino Rossi
Honda was heavily disappointed at the time, even through years of pain due to Valentino Rossi's move.
Until Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez came, Honda could only gawk and see the success of the former racer along with its competitor manufacturer.
Now Honda is in the wind because Marc Marquez became king of MotoGP replace Valentino Rossi is not like before.