Some facts about Valentino Rossi

• Valentino adopted his nickname as 'Rossifumi' after a Japanese rider, Norifumi Abe, his lifelong hero.

• The nickname, 'Valentinik', was adopted by him, based on a Donald Duck story, in which it became a superhero called 'Papperinik'. So, 'Valentinik' means 'Super Vale'!

• There was once a rumor of him being engaged. Not many people know for sure whether that was true. It was written in a motorcycle magazine that her name was Elaine Ferri. She was from Luxembourg, but lives in Pesaro. They met in 1998 while she was taking her driving exams.

• Back when he was staying in Urbino, Italy, he lives in a villa with his mother, his grandmother and half brother Luca. His parents were divorced when he was 15.

• Valentino still keeps in touch with his childhood friends. Some of whom are now the core members of his fanclub. Below is his fan club address and website.

• Rossifumi Official Fans Club Valentino Rossi
  Via Cesare Battisti, 5/A
  61010 Tavullia (PS)
  Tel.: 0721/901119 Fax:0721/900210

• Website: www.fanclubvalentinorossi.com

• The words 'Rossifumi' and 'Word Cempion' has been scrawled on many of the buildings in Tavullia, in honour of Rossi. Tavullia, Italy, was where he stayed before moving to London. Click on the image below to enlarge.

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• His moving out to London was due to the constant hassles by eager fans, wanting to speak to him in publics places.

• Rossi will still keep the Number 46 with him, in honour of his father, Graziano, who was using Number 46 back when he won the GP.

• He has a tattoo of a little cute turtle wearing the Number 46, on his left hand side below his belly. The turtle has always been his mascot.

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