Rossi is the only rider on the grid who rode two-stroke motorcycles at the time. Now the only link between the two-stroke and four-stroke era will be towards the end of the current season.
He’s also the only rider on the current grid to share the paddock area with Mick Doohan and Kenny Roberts, Jr. during his early 125cc racing days. Over the years we stood on the edge of the seat and looked at The Doctor who made some amazing moves to get to those glorious victories.
However, for the past two seasons the Petronas Yamaha SRT rider has had issues with the bike’s setup. As a result, Rossi won his last race in 2017 when he raced for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP factory racing team.
Regarding the resignation, Valentino Rossi said: “I said I would choose next year after the summer break and I decided to quit at the end of the season. Unfortunately, this will be my last half-season as a MotoGP rider. And it’s difficult , it’s a very sad moment because it’s hard to say and to know that next year I won’t be racing a motorcycle, I’ve been doing that for more or less 30 years!
Next year my life will change. But it was great, I enjoyed it very much, it was a long, long journey and it was fun. It’s 25, 26 years in the World Cup so it was great. And I’ve had unforgettable moments with all of my boys, the guys who work for me, so … I don’t have much to say! Just that. “
He added: “I’ve had a very long career and luckily I’ve won a lot of races, but I have some moments and victories that are unforgettable. Pure joy. Some things that I laughed at for a week and after 10 days.” still “laugh, ask yourself why and remember the race. It’s difficult, yes. A difficult decision, but one has to understand. I think in sport the results make all the difference. So in the end I think it’s the right way to go. “
Valentino Rossi is linked to a team with Yamaha more than any other MotoGP rider. Rossi is the most successful Yamaha rider in history with 56 wins, 46 second places, 40 third places on a Yamaha, achieved in 264 races so far.
Commenting on Rossi’s resignation, Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing said: “First of all, on behalf of Yamaha Motor Racing, I would like to sincerely thank Valentino for the special partnership between him and Yamaha being key players in a legendary Grand Prix era in which Valentino is the Yamaha rider line-up strengthened for 16 ongoing seasons, the now iconic Yamaha-Rossi partnership began almost like a fairy tale.
Rossi won this incredible race in Welkom in 2004, his first GP with Yamaha. His arrival at Yamaha was the catalyst that completely changed our MotoGP racing program and gave us the confidence to regain our challenging spirit and become MotoGP World Champion again. “
He added: “His unparalleled skills and warm charisma are very much missed by the fans, the media, the MotoGP paddock and the entire Yamaha team. So let’s all enjoy the next GPs and then we get the chance to speak out Thanks to Valentino at the end of the Valencia GP weekend in November. “
A short story
In his illustrious career, Valentino Rossi has ridden for Aprilia, Honda, Ducati and Yamaha. The Doctors chose to fight on the track with some of the legendary drivers like him. In 1996 Rossi began his career on the saddle of an Aprilia 125 motorcycle. After his rookie season, Rossi became world champion in the 125cc class in 1997 with 11 wins.
Aprilia promoted the Italian to the 250cc category in 1998. Rossi was outclassed by early rival Loris Capirossi, who won the championship that year. In 1999 the Italian returned stronger and became the 250ccm champion with 9 race wins.
Eventually, with 2 championships under his belt and the retirement of legendary Mick Doohan, Rossi got a seat in Honda to compete in the 500cc category, which was the highest category at the time. In the first season he drove just against another legendary driver, Kenny Robets Jr. Rossi had to be content with 2nd place in the championship behind Kenny in 2000.
What followed next were the most glorious years of Rossi’s racing career, which made him known as a sporting icon. From 2001 to 2005 he won five championships in a row with Nastro Azzurro Honda, Repsol Honda Team, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha and Gauloises Yamaha Team.
In the debut year of the MotoGP World Championship in 2002, Rossi continued his form and increased the lead to 140 points. One of the main rivals of his racing career, Max Biaggi, came in second.
In 2003, Rossi gave Honda his final title before moving to Yamaha in 2004, where he won two more championships. In 2006 he was finally dethroned by Nicky Hayden, who won the championship on a Honda motorcycle.
In 2008 and 2009 Rossi won his last two championships for the Fiat Yamaha team, where he outclassed Casey Stoner and the young Jorge Lorenzo, respectively.
In 2011 and 2012 Rossi drove for the Ducati factory team, where he only won three podiums in two seasons. After two years of fighting, Rossi decided to return to Yamaha and took his first win in three years at Assen.
Rossi was aiming for the 10th title, but was runner-up in the championship in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Doctor’s last win came in 2017 at the Dutch GP in Assen.
The last time we saw Rossi on the podium was in 2020 when he secured third place at the start of the season in Jerez. 2021 will be the final season for the legendary rider as he rides for the Petronas SRT Yamaha Satellite Team.
Next year the number 46 will return to the paddock as a MotoGP racing team with two Ducati motorcycles driven by his brother Luca Marini and another rider to be determined by the Sky Racing VR 46 team.
Valentino Rossi’s records, wins and racing stats
-
Years of racing: 26
-
Race starts: 414
-
Race wins: 115
-
Podium finish: 235
-
Points: 6.313
-
Championship wins (125cc): 1st
-
Championship wins (250cc): 1st
-
Championship wins (500cc): 1st
-
Championship wins (MotoGP): 6
-
Total championship wins: 9
Thoughts on Valentino Rossi’s retirement from MotoGP
More than a rider who has given us a head start in Seat action for years, Valentino Rossi is a household name for MotoGP. MotoGP racing has grown in popularity over the year thanks to Rossi and has reached many parts of the world. Thank you for entertaining us on the track, now is the time for the number 46 to shine on the Ducati bike that will be racing next year. Ciao Rossi!