Valentino Rossi wanted all MotoGP riders next to him for a photo at the end of his farewell press conference for the World Championship. There is no one who has no memories of the doctor, partly because most of them grew up watching his exploits on television.
Starting with the newly crowned world champion Fabio Quartararo: “I think Valentino will also be missed by those who said to quit because of his results” – said the Frenchman – today is a sad day because a legend of this sport ends, he’s been an inspiration to me since I was little, he’s my idol “.
Bagnaia has a special relationship with the doctor, as he is his student at the equestrian academy: “I was fortunate enough to race with him in MotoGP and even more, to be part of his life – were the words of Pecco – We spent many days together, we trained together and I have to thank him for all the work he did for us. Today is a tough day, it is normal that sooner or later the time will come to stop, but no one will ever forget what they did. “
Also for Me Valentino was an inspiration: “I grew up and saw how he won, how he celebrated, he was my idol – he remembered – It was a pleasure to drive with him, like winning a title with him on the track. Now I wish him all the best for the future. “
Jack Miller Nor did he shy away from digging in the memory box. “As a child, I could never have imagined driving with Valentino and standing on the podium with him in Austin. He has done a lot for this sport and paved the way for the new generations. “
Of all of them, the one who met the doctor first was Petrucci: “My father was a truck driver in the world championship and Valentino had come to get his first motorhome out of our house – he said – Another special memory is the 2017 race in Assen, which he last won and in which we fought against each other. “
Alex Marquez‘s comment was a little cooler. “I don’t always have good memories of Valentino – he openly admitted – I remember him watching his fights against Lorenzo and Pedrosa even though I was cheering for Dani. In any case, it was an honor to share the route with a legend like him, we just have to thank him for everything he has done. “
The riders were also asked about a long-standing urban legend: an agreement between everyone to let Rossi pass on Sunday and thus give him his 200th MotoGP podium.
“If it were up to me, I would, too, but I don’t think he would be able to do it that way.” Quartararo observed. “In the end, a podium is always a podium – Bagnaia smiled – it seems too difficult to me If anything, it would be nice to do the lap of honor with all of us drivers behind us. ” An idea that I also like: “I’ll try to be close to him on the last lap. However, you never know, maybe he’ll surprise us and fight with us on Sunday.
Müller thought to solve everything with a laugh: “It depends how much you pay, I’m a businessman! Seriously, I don’t think he’d like that. “Petrucci agrees:” Vale will want to race as always, it would be nice to see him on the podium again, but only if he gets it right. “