I know he loves 46 but if he really wanted to rub Honda's nose in it....why not run the No.1 plate on the Yam ?????? (yes, I know he has No1 on his shoulder - LOL, only because of Randy Mamola !)
Surely it isnt because he changed teams?
Did u also notice - the Gulouise (or however the darn fags company is spelt).. has changed to GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On Rossi's bike.
I always admired him for not aligning himself with ciggy sponsors - I understand he gave that up as his desire to leave Honda was so great....but if he has this sort of clout..good on him !!!!!!!!
He has now won 5 world title with 46 on the front of his bike, he hasn't won a championship with No1 on the bike and doesn't want to run the risk of jinxing himself. And as Ozz says Tobacco sponsorship is banned at a lot of the races these days, the CAMEL brand has also been replaced in Max's case its changed to BIAGGI
He runs no.46 because that was his dad's racing number and its a sort of family tribute/good luck thing. I think there might be an element of bloody mindedness as well,he does it because he can,and it will wind up the likes of Biaggi.
yep Dave has got it right, - No 46 was his fathers racing number, - and if you look at everything Vale does before getting on a bike, and down pit lane on the way out he is a very very supersticious guy.
Carrying no46 was the cause of a big argument between him and Honda, - remember all the adverts they would do with Freddie Sencer, Eddie Lawson carying No1? If you looked closely at Vale's leathers he was carrying a No 1 on his shoulder, which is as good as the one finger salute to Honda as he would never do that up until now, - he carried No74 on his leathers as a lot of the guys did last year, - Sete still now.
An yes Gauloise can not be seen on SA TV, - the same will aplly when Moto GP gets to the UK.
More and more riders are keeping their chosen number rather than their last year championship position, - from my early days of watching racing it was only Barry Sheene, - then 34 for Scwantz, - CE2's number is also a lucky one I think, - of course Chilli favours No 7 now in WSBK.