At the end of the 2021 MotoGP season, Valentino Rossi will retire.
"When I started, it was like another era — it was black and white on TV," Valentino Rossi joked last summer. "I've won many, many games, many, many titles. Then you get to a certain point where it becomes more difficult because a younger and stronger opponent comes, so at that moment you have to make a decision. Do you like to stay at home and be happy looking at your trophy? Or are you more willing to keep fighting because you like it? I guess that's my case.
Last March, the ninth-time world champion started his 26th Grand Prix in this spirit. This number, 26, is also the age of Franco Mobydeli. He is his teammate and a member of the VR46 Academy that Rossi helped grow. Those 26 years, combined with 115 professional wins, 235 podium finishes, nine World Championship titles, and countless unforgettable battles with their opponents, have made Rossi the greatest player of all time. For MotoGP fans, he is forever Peter Pan, wearing a yellow flag on tracks around the world and standing in the stands at Number 46.
Rossi announced his retirement last Sunday in Austria.
Rossi said he could have played for another 25 years if he could.
"I decided to stop at the end of the season... This will be my last season as a MotoGP driver," Rossi said. "I've been doing this for almost 30 years. It's a very sad time because I won't be racing next year... My life will change next year.
"It's great. I enjoyed it, it was really fun. I had unforgettable moments. I really wanted to do it for another 25 years, but it wasn't possible.
Rossi uttered these heavy words in his signature style: with a smile on his face. Rossi and other legends—Diego Maradona, Bailey, El Dunsena, Ali—have an extraordinary emotional openness. For many MotoGP fans, he's more than just one of them; he's got everyone together.
For many MotoGP fans, Rossi is more important than the sport itself, loved by millions of fathers, mothers, children and grandmothers, like stars
"I've had incredible support from all the fans around the world," he said in his farewell. "I have to say thank you to all the fans. What sets me apart from all the other great riders is – seriously, I don't know why – that I can get a lot of people close to motorcycle racing... In a remote village in Thailand, I also found a Number 46 motorcycle on it. It made me proud and realized that I walked into millions of homes on Sunday and gave them two hours of pure joy.
"Rossi's fans are the most loyal and supportive, even if the results are not ideal.
Speed, glamour and fantasy: Make Rossi unique. "I was deeply moved by the thousands of messages I received, from close friends to athletes to fans I hadn't been born when I first started in 1996. What moved me the most? Maybe it's Kathy Stone, that's it. ”
Rossi's clash with the Australian in the 2008 La Gounaseca opener remains one of the best moments in the history of motorcycle racing.
Stoner tweeted: "There is no doubt that you have always been one of my biggest competitors, and after playing against you, my achievements have been more effective. Over the years, we have gone through some hardships. I learned a lot from you. I hope you enjoy the next chapter of your life, there are so many things to enjoy. ”
Rossi's wild game against Kasy Stoner's Madness at Laguna Seca Stadium.
"An end to the times. On the track, the 4 of us were just as fast, but in terms of glamour and transcendence, @valeyellow46 was jordan, Woods, Ali or Senna's level. enjoy. New chapter, legend! Jorge Lorenzo wrote on Twitter that it was another memorable moment: Rossi passed the ball to his young teammate at Barcelona in 2009.
Even Rossi's first and oldest competitor, Max Biaggi, chimed in. Maybe one day we'll meet in front of a glass of red wine and laugh out loud. Deciding to stop is never easy, especially after a 30-year career, but you can now think of doing a lot of things you could never have done before, and it's okay: live a good life at Vale.
Valentino Rossi didn't regret it, even after Ducati had two years without results.
"It was a huge challenge: an Italian rider riding an Italian bike. If we win, it will be legendary. I'm even more sorry I didn't win my 10th title. We approached twice in the last game and fought, so I think I deserve it," the doctor said.
Rossi described his time at Ducati as a "huge challenge".
"I thought he was going to continue," commented Mark Márquez, who was obviously surprised, "I've seen some people who say it shouldn't end like this, but it has to be judged by the entire period of time that athletes are going to end. Twenty-five years later, what he did for the motorcycle was legendary. He did something that the driver had a privilege: he won, he took a lot of people to the track. Very pretty.
Even Rossi's opponents can't deny his impact on the sport.
Márquez disagrees that MotoGP will never be the same. "In the [this edition] of the 100m Olympics, there were no Bolts, but I watched them with the same intensity. Bolt does have something different, but sooner or later someone will show up and he will become great. There's Pele, then Maradona, and Messi... It's not that one person is better than another, it's that everyone has their own time and moment. Rossi's moments are very, very long. But MotoGP will remain the same; people who love motorcycles will continue to follow and support them.
"Valentino is the Michael Jordan of motorsport," said joan Mir, the current MotoGP world champion.
"It's hard to believe it's happening," admitted MotoGP points leader Fabio Quar Tararo, who now occupies Rossi's spot in the Yamaha Factory team. "Before I was born, he was already a two-time world champion. Glad he's still playing with us this year... For me, he was the reference and reason I decided to become a professional driver. I remember when I was a kid, I lined up in front of his motorhome for hours to sign autographs. His career has been remarkable, he is a legend in our sport. ”
Rossi's antics earned him fans inside and outside the sport.
"We have to thank him for reinventing our movement over the last 20 years. Even people who don't follow MotoGP know Valentino Rossi. Over the years, there have been few celebrities. Can stay competitive," said John Zarko, who currently drives a Ducati car and is second in the championship.
"I learned a lot from him," Maverick Viñales said. "I am so grateful for the wonderful moments we shared on and off the track."
"It's sad news. He is an idol for all of us. Playing with him in the past GP will be very special. Mobydley said.
"I also grew up with Rosie's success," Cal Crutchlow said. "He's synonymous with MotoGP in the world. What impressed me even more was his determination and competitiveness. Even after I retired, he remained fast and competitive. It's unbelievable how he was able to maintain this level of physical and mental preparation to maximize his participation in the race for so many years. He is a source of inspiration for all of us. ”
"What's extraordinary about Rossi is the love of his fans," said Young Said KTM driver Miguel Oliveira. ”...... We can easily support him when he wins, but what sets him apart is that even though Ducati hasn't achieved anything in two years, the fans still love him. Fans love him beyond that because he represents the track and off the track in the race. It was an honor to share the track with him. “
When will we see Rossi again on the track?
If Giacomo Agostini has 122 Grand Prix titles and 15 World Titles and he finds Rossi's heir, who will be Rossi's heir?
"Valentino has always been my heir. He has always been a legend: even as he struggles over the past few years, the results and victories he has achieved will live on forever. In our time, we are pioneers: we drive the van to the track. Today's MotoGP is a show without borders. Right now? After three days of crying when announcing his retirement, Valentino did it with a smile. His passion for motorcycles is evident. He can reach so many people ... Now he will not be able to continue to do what he likes. It's an empty place. But he will find something else. ”
The hardest to convince was Graziano Rossi.
"I made the decision alone, but it was something I discussed with my family and close friends. They all urged me to keep going, especially Graziano. "We're going to have fans," he repeated.
"I only told Stephania on the Wednesday before the game. I used to have dinner with her and my girlfriend Francesca every Wednesday. When I had reached the door, I told her. She didn't have time to respond, but we've discussed it with her many times.
You can easily see the smile under Rossi's helmet.
In the end, time is his biggest rival. Rossi is now ready to conclude this chapter.
"I want to enjoy the second half of the season and see if I can get better results. I miss getting up every morning to practice, butterflies in my stomach two hours before Sunday's game, and working with my team. But I can race with the car, follow the VR46 Academy drivers. It's an incredible satisfaction to see them grow and win. This will continue to be the Italian team.
"Give me a few months off," Valentino Rossi said with a laugh. Eternal Peter Pan.
See you, I wish you guys and sisters a pleasant and safe ride.
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