Gigi Soldano photo #3 posted by Valentino Rossi to Twitter, Mugello Day 1

Periodically, (and every race weekend lately) Valentino Rossi has tweeted a selection of photographs that he likes from  a group his  preferred photographers. These are photos that portray him in the light he chooses and tend to be beautiful and we think often somewhat romantic – small dreamy images at a distance, pensive shots in the garage, happy shots, clowning around shots –  he posts whatever appeals to him.  Having recently experienced the frenzy of photographers that happens whenever Valentino Rossi shows his face we can appreciate the level of skill a photographer must have to shoot in these conditions and earn this sort of access. These photographers – Stefano Taglioni, Callo Albanese, Gigi Soldano and Tino Martino are at the top of the game.

Callo Albanese photo #2 posted by Valentino Rossi to Twitter, Mugello Day 1

Tomorrow, according to a tweet posted after he tweeted today’s four shots, he said (translated from Italian) “tomorrow we will put to the test our photographers. 4: must all photograph Casanova-Savelli, the most famous of them.”  …”And with your retweet you will elect the winner of the challenge. There is a lot of honor at stake tomorrow”

Stefano Taglioni photo #1 posted by Valentino Rossi to Twitter, Mugello Day 1

Given the level of skill, this should be interesting. Feel free to head to Ducati.net’s facebook page and place your bets.  We’ll send a couple of Ducati.net stickers to someone that picks the right shooter…

Tino Martino photo #4 posted by Valentino Rossi to Twitter, Mugello Day 1