Vittoriano used to be a Yamaha rider: he rode bikes supported by Motoshop of Parma, Italy's largest Yamaha dealer, in various championships and even had a brief stint in the Yamaha WSBK factory team as Haga's team mate on the ill fated R7. Then he went over to Ducati and rode for them in the CIS (Italian championship), mostly using factory machinery to stomp underfunded privateers. Why he is regarded as "Rossi friendly" I cannot say, perhaps the two know each other and get along well.
Next time I'll get to the bikers' hangout on the Cisa I'll try to pick up the latest rumors...
