Motorcycling Legend Giacomo Agostini Set to Make Guest Appearance in Next MotoGP Race as Honorary Pace Rider
Valencia, Spain – In an exciting turn for MotoGP fans and motorcycle racing enthusiasts worldwide, 15-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini is set to make a special appearance as an honorary pace rider in the final race of the MotoGP season in Valencia this weekend. Agostini, widely regarded as one of the greatest racers in history, will ride a ceremonial lap ahead of the grid, marking a rare on-track return for the 81-year-old Italian legend.
Organizers of the MotoGP championship invited Agostini to participate as a tribute to his unparalleled contributions to the sport. With 122 Grand Prix wins and a career spanning more than a decade, Agostini’s legacy has inspired countless riders, including current stars like Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. The announcement has fueled excitement and nostalgia among fans, as Agostini last took to a competitive track over four decades ago.
Agostini, known affectionately as “Ago” among fans and colleagues, will lead the formation lap aboard a modern MotoGP bike custom-decorated in his iconic red and white MV Agusta colors. This gesture is not only a tribute to his career but also a celebration of the technological evolution of the sport. Agostini shared his excitement, stating, “It’s a great honor to be part of the MotoGP event in Valencia. Riding again on the track, even in a ceremonial capacity, brings back wonderful memories, and I’m thrilled to be part of the atmosphere that only a live Grand Prix can create.”
MotoGP organizers plan to follow the honorary lap with a tribute ceremony, where Agostini will be presented with a commemorative award in front of the live audience. Fans at the circuit will also have the chance to see Agostini up close during a Q&A session, and many are expected to bring memorabilia of his racing days for him to sign.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, remarked on Agostini’s involvement, saying, “Having Giacomo Agostini join us on track is a tremendous honor. His presence adds something truly special to this final race of the season, and we hope to show him just how much he still means to the MotoGP community.”
Agostini’s honorary lap in Valencia will mark an emotional moment in MotoGP, connecting the past with the present in a display that showcases both the sport’s heritage and its ongoing evolution. Fans across the world will have the chance to tune in and witness this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle as Agostini takes to the track once more.