Valentino Rossi’s homecoming to Misano for this weekend’s San Marino MotoGP brings🤪 him full circle having first competed on two wheels at the iconic circuit during his junior career.

The 40-year-old completed a ‘dream’ parade on his Monster Yamaha YZR-M1 from his🐼 Motor Ranch in Tavullia to the Misano circuit on Tuesdayꦉ as part of his preparations for this weekend’s Sa꧋n Marino MotoGP.

After a lap of the track before pitting ahead of Friday’s opening practice, Rossi reflected on his connection to♒ Misano having begun his racing career at the track.

Since Misano returned to the MotoGP calendar in 2007, Rossi has claimed three wins at the Rimini circuit putting him level with Jorge L🦋orenzo for most wins at the track in the premier class.

“Riding in front of my fans hereꦡ is fantastic because this is really my home Grand Prix. My house is 10 kilometres from the Misano circuit,” Rossi said. “I grew up in Misano, and the first time I rode a 🐷bike was in Misano.

“We expect𝐆 a lot of fans this weekend. A lot of people, a lot of yellow, so we try to give the maximum to be strong and competitive.”

Monster Yamaha team🍸 director Massimo Meregalli says the Misano round also acts 𝔍as the team’s second home race after Mugello and hopes the squad can deliver strong results from its supporters.

“Misano is always a very special place for🍌 us and also for many fans. It‘s so close to Valentino‘s house in Tavullia that as a team we see 🐬this round as our second home GP too,” Meregalli said. “The supporters here live and breathe motorbikes and motorsport, their passion for it is almost tangible.

“Both our riders get incredible support here, so we want to repay the fans by doing the utmost to provideꦐ a good show this weekend.

“We‘ve had a successful test here in Misano two week💛s ago, so we’re approaching this GP with a posit♔ive mindset and we can‘t wait to get started.”

Rossi has missed ou𒁏t on the MotoGP podium for the past nine races bu𒆙t did make a front row return with second place on the grid last time at Silverstone.

The nine-time world champion then fi﷽nished fourth quickest at the Misano test&𝔉nbsp;where he tried a new exhaust, carbon fibre swingarm and aerodynamics - all of which could be seen on track this weekend.