The 2008 World Championship action may be over, but the riders have not been too far away from each other in recent weeks. Aside from meetings on the testing tracks, the multitude of prize-giving ceremonies rewarding the competitors for their efforts over the past year have brought them back into contact during the winter break.
Italy´s most successful riders of the season were on-hand to collect end-of-year honours at this week´s Bologna Motorshow, and naturally the star of the event was MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi. He was presented with a `Golden Helmet´ to add to his accolades for regaining the title.
Also receiving that particular award were 250cc World Champion Marco Simoncelli, MotoGP´s Italian rookie sensation Andrea Dovizioso, 125cc runner-up Simone Corsi and 250cc racewinner Mattia Pasini, all in attendance at the motorshow.
Rossi and Simoncelli will have to make further space in their trophy cabinets before the end of the year. In one week´s time the Italian World Champions will be awarded the Diploma of Honour (Rossi) and Chain of Honour (Simoncelli), typically given to the best Sportsmen of the calendar year. The pair will receive their honours from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday, December 17th.
Source:
http://www.motogp.com