Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

In reaction to the news that 2003 MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi would be joining him at Yamaha, Carlos Checa released a statement of enthusiastic approval on his fan website.

Checa wrote: “First of all I would like to welcome Valentino to the team and express my delight at this news. I have always wanted the best alongside me and I think that this is the ideal way to progress as a rider and a team. I hope that we work well together and make the Yamaha a winning machine once more, to bring back happy times to the factory and the sponsors. I also think that the incorporation of the MotoGP World Champion is the clearest sign yet that Yamaha are going for everything next season and that, without doubt, will help the development of the bike and whole package on the track, allowing us to aspire to maximum achievement. With respect to Rossi’s decision, my opinion is that [the] World Champion has been brave, and has decided to take on a new challenge in his sporting career with the offer from Yamaha. Personally, all I can say is that I’m sure our relationship will be good, his integration will be quick and that we can be good friends.”