The nine-time moto racing world champion will take the wheel of a BMW M4 GT3 fielded by Belgian team WRT, the 2021 European Le Mans Series champion and LMP2 class winner at the 2021 24 Hours.

Fifty-eight cars are entered in this year's Road to Le Mans, the second of five rounds on the 2023 Michelin Le Mans Cup calendar. The grid includes 38 LMP3s and 20 GT3s.

The championship leader in the LMP3 class after the first race of the season in Barcelona is Team Virage's #16 Ligier shared by Julien Gerbi and Gillian Henrion. There are 32 Ligier JS P320s and six Duqueine M30-D08s in the LMP3 field.

There have been 13 Road to Le Mans races since the event began in 2016, and six previous LMP3 team winners are back for another victory: United Autosports, DKR Engineering, Graff Racing, COOL Racing, Nielsen Racing and Racing Spirit of Léman. Two previous winning drivers are also returning: Tony Wells and Colin Noble.

The GT3 grid will feature a selection of the best GT3s available to teams: the Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche 911, Lamborghini Huracan, Audi R8, Ferrari 296, Honda NSX, BMW M4 and Mercedes AMG. Racing Spirit of Léman's #10 Aston Martin Vantage driven by Arnold Robin and Valentin Hasse-Clot is currently leading the championship.

Another well-known name in endurance racing will be competing in the GT3 class. Jan Magnussen will share GMB Motorsport's #88 Honda NSX with fellow countryman Lars Pedersen.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: "This year, Road to Le Mans will host a record grid. These two races will offer spectators great battles on the track. I am also very happy to welcome a champion like Valentino Rossi, who will make his debut on the legendary circuit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I wish him the same success he has had on two wheels!"

Frédéric Lequien, Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM) CEO: "Once again the Road to Le Mans has attracted a large entry with star names running alongside the series regulars and to have Valentino Rossi on the grid is a massive boost for the event. It also demonstrates the importance of the Michelin Le Mans Cup in endurance racing. I would like to wish everyone taking part in the 2023 Road to Le Mans the very best of luck in this very special anniversary year for Le Mans."

The two 55-minute races will take place on Thursday 8 June and Friday 9 June (qualifying is programmed for Thursday morning).

Click for the 2023 Road to Le Mans entry list.