Valentino Rossi Mugello Part 3 and another silly season rumor

The 2012 MotoGP of Italy was the scene of Valentino Rossi's most personal and direct dedication to his fans who came in their tens of thousands.

Opening the AGV helmet case on the Saturday morning he presented a message of "Restiamo Uniti" or "Let's stick together". In typical stye it had all the humour and more than enough sub-plots to get the rumour mill churning. Some people interpreted it as a direct reference to his state of mind within the Ducati team; others may know it as a common catchphrase amongst Italian family television courtesy of Gianni Morani who took pride of place on the lid. It quite probably meant both but by no means was it lost on the army of fans who invaded the asphalt on Sunday afternoon as the riders brought their machines back to the pits on the back of a hard fought race.

Valentino was left with plenty to do, starting in tenth position but despite lack of front-end feel he dragged himself and Cal Crutchlow up into the pack ahead of himself and ultimately grabbed fifth as he watched the final podium place being duked out by Andrea Dovizioso and Stefan Bradl just ahead.