In Valentino Rossi's 22-year career in the top category, he has experienced displacement specifications of 500cc, 990cc, 800cc and 1000cc, as well as the era of two-stroke and four-stroke, V4, L4 and even V5 engine racing, as well as riding brands such as Honda, Ducati and Yamaha, and the tires have also used the era of Bridgestone and Michelin, while the 42-year-old Rossi is also experiencing the history of the big air era and the supremacy of electronic control.
Every major technical change requires a corresponding change in riding skills and style, but the air power kit is a major change and breakthrough even for the appearance of modern racing cars. However, Rossi believes that the addition of the air power suite will not affect too many changes in modern riding techniques and styles, and the decisive factors for modern cycling styles are still the basic skills of tires and brakes.
"There have been some changes in riding styles over the past few years, especially when the riding position on the car and the head, shoulders and elbows of everyone on the field are getting closer and closer to the front." "For me, the way and the line of the corners have also changed a lot, because modern cars, tires, brakes are more advanced than in the past, you can go into corners at a faster speed, so because of this, it will really become different in terms of riding style and way."
"But I'm not sure if there's much correlation between this and the change in the air force kit."
"Aerodynamics gives us better acceleration, allowing you to get to the next corner faster, your front wheels will be more loaded, so you can brake harder, the car will become heavier when steering, so you need more power, and in general, modern racing cars are more demanding on the physical fitness of the drivers."
"It's the difference that the air force kit brings, not just the change in riding style."
As a result, some riders have changed to a more aggressive riding position in response to the progress of the car, but Rossi believes that the traditional way is not impossible.
"Everybody has their own style, and I see a lot of drivers who are great at speed, and they're all doing speed in a normal riding position, like Jack Miller and Franco Morbidelli."