One of the hottest MotoGP topics in recent months has been Valentino Rossi’s retirement. This year, the Italian has turned 42, and each year he comes closer to hanging up his helmet, but “El Periodico de Catalunya” newspaper has insinuated that the Doctor might not even see out the current season. They claim that he could retire after the Dutch GP, on 27 June, before the summer break.

Rather improbable

Over the years, there has been a great deal of speculation as to Valentino’s retirement and this latest Spanish ‘rumour’ comes at one of the toughest moments in the Italian’s career. Seven races into the season and he’s scored just 15 points, finishing in the points zone on only three occasions. The situation is serious but that Rossi might decide to retire without completing the season sounds quite unrealistic to us.

The nine-time champion has also recently said that he’ll use the summer break to decide whether or not to continue in 2022. Despite the difficulties, Rossi and his crew have always shown that they are able to remain united as they seek the solution that puts them back on top. He has many rivals, yes, and they are increasingly young, but if he really decides to retire, Rossi will make the decision calmly, carefully analysing all the facts of the matter.

 Let’s wait for him to say farewell

Considering the kind of person he’s been throughout his career, we can’t imagine him giving up, with the season still in progress. In fact, we imagine that when he read the news he laughed out loud and shook his head, as if to say: “But what have they come up with now?" So let’s wait for him to announce the news, as and when he’s ready to bid farewell to the paddock as a rider. His second home and one that he will inevitably return to in another guise.

Traslated by Heather Watson

MotoGP Catalunya, Alpinestars and Quartararo’s suit: “All in order”