Toni Cairoli was a VIP guest of the Fiat Yamaha team last weekend at Misano, where he enjoyed the company of MotoGP title holder and compatriot Valentino Rossi.

The Motocross World Champion, who also rides for Yamaha, was on the grid before the round 13 race and he watched the action unfold in awe as Rossi picked up his sixth win of 2009.

Afterwards Cairoli said, “It’s cool to be here and I have a lot of friends in Moto GP. We also have a really busy calendar in Motocross but when I can find time it is really great to come and I can cheer for Valentino and all the other Italian guys! I know Valentino through Yamaha but I am closer to Marco Melandri who I go training with in the winter. Also Andrea Dovizioso comes to some of our races.”

On the chances of Rossi retaining the title this year Cairoli remarked, “I think he can handle the pressure and he has a good gap over Lorenzo so I am sure he can do it!”