GP Valencia, Rossi: “I'm pleased to have developed MotoGP”

The final chapter in Valentino Rossi’s racing career is upon us, Thursday at Valencia taking on a special, unique flavour. Valentino has held his last press conference as a MotoGP rider, and there was no shortage of emotion. And this was before #46 even entered the room, considering the nostalgic display of all the bikes with which Valentino has won world titles, with Rossi front and centre of course.

“I have the Yamahas and the Aprilias at home, an M1 in the bedroom”, comments a smiling Vale, “but to see them all together is moving. It gets me thinking about the journey, considering that another 12 years have passed since the last of these bikes. I’ve asked Alberto (Puig) for the Hondas, at least the 500. This one here is the very one I should have got from Honda – I’d already decided where to put it back home, so I promise to take care of it if I get it”.

There is a touch of sadness in all this, but not for Rossi, who confirms that the worst is behind him.

“The worst moment was when I decided to stop. In June, I told myself I’d continue if I was still quick, but considering the circumstances, I had to stop. Now I’ll try to focus on the racing, as that’s essential and I want a positive final weekend. I hope the weather helps us, especially on Sunday. What will happen after the race? I don’t know, I hope I don’t cry. I realised three or four months ago that Sunday’s date adds up to 46: it wasn’t easy to convince God (he laughs)".

In making the announcement, Rossi understood many things.

“After Austria, I started to really understand everything I’ve done over the years. Before I was looking at it from inside a tunnel, like all riders, but then I took a step back and was able to see the context. Now that I can see it, I feel very proud".

Rossi: "I don’t have any dream right now, mine was to become MotoGP champion”

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The 2021 season then continued to play out without any real surprises, bringing us all the way up to the present day, one that Valentino has imagined many times.

“It’s been a strange season, particularly after I made the retirement announcement. I would have liked it to be as normal as possible but that wasn't possible. After the announcement, I received many messages from so many riders, past and present, which was wonderful. I’ve thought a lot about this conference at Valencia. Everyone’s usually happy at the last race because the holidays are just around the corner, but for me life will be different come Monday. I want to appreciate the moment, and then I’ll think about the future. Dreams? Mine was to become MotoGP champion, so I don’t have any right now”.

There is also chance to consider the legacy that Rossi leaves, both on and particularly off the track.

“The best thing relating to my career is the fact that so many people started to watch or got more interested in MotoGP because of me. I became a kind of icon over the years, which is lovely. For a rider what happens on track counts for a lot, but this is the most incredible thing”.

#46 has no regrets, if not perhaps that elusive tenth title.

“I tried to win a tenth title. I was racing well after the ninth, and came close to a tenth in 2015, but it wasn’t possible. Apart from that, I have no regrets, also because nine often comes up in my life – I have like a curse relating to the number nine that I’d prefer not to have. When I scored podium number 199 at Jerez, I thought it would be the last, although I wanted to reach 200. I’ve had a lot of fun anyway”.

In any case, the future will soon metaphorically brush the present aside, for both Rossi and for MotoGP, which will clearly have to rebuild.

“MotoGP will carry on. Perhaps it won’t be exactly the same thing, but it’ll continue and there will still be #46 caps. I’ll come to some races, mainly to support the Academy guys, but it will be different, that’s for sure. I don’t know if I’ll enjoy it or not, I’ll let you know”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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