The 2022 edition of the Assen GP is the first without Valentino Rossi, who retired from MotoGP at the end of 2021 to dedicate himself to life as a dad and racing driver. But Valentino’s name will be forever linked to that of the Dutch track, where the Doctor won ten races, the last of which in 2017.

Rossi: "Assen, a stadium-type atmosphere"

The nine-time world champion is not present in the Assen paddock due to previous commitments with Team WRT at both Zandvoort and Spa-Franchorchamps, but he’s still keen to extol the virtues of the Dutch track, albeit at a distance. “I’d have liked to be at Assen to see the MotoGP, my team, my brother and the VR46 riders. But unfortunately it wasn’t possible as we already had a test scheduled in Belgium”, Rossi tells website RaceSport.nl, without concealing his love for the track known as the university of motorcycling.

“The track layout is fantastic – admits Vale – I had the honour of riding the old configuration too, before the modifications were made in 2006. That version was long, fast and tough, amazing to ride. After that work it became a bit more like a normal circuit, but it’s still beautiful”.

Rossi and his memory of 2017

And it’s not only the track, as the Dutch fans are also special: “The atmosphere is fantastic, especially through the final sector – in the race it’s like entering a stadium. I hope to return to TT Assen, even if it’s only as a spectator”.

Valentino then delves into the memory books: “Assen was one of my favourite tracks on the MotoGP calendar. I won ten races at Assen, the same as Barcelona. I also scored my final GP win there, in 2017, and I think that's my best memory of this track”.

Speaking of Dutch tracks, Valentino thinks it would be impossible to stage a MotoGP event at Zandvoort: “No, I think the track has two or three points that are too dangerous. There’s not enough space there for MotoGP. So it’s best to keep Assen for MotoGP and Zandvoort for Formula 1", concludes the Audi WRT driver and GT World Challenge Europe competitor.

Translated by Heather Watson

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