N-time world champion Valentino Rossi has been inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame after ending his illustrious career spanning more than two decades with a 10th-place finish at the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday.
Rossi, a seven-time MotoGP title winner, one of motorcycling’s greatest and most charismatic champions, delighted fans with a few fast laps around the Spanish circuit, but failed to reach his 200th podium.
The 42-year-old Italian rider is considering a move to motorsport after competing for so long in motorcycling.
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“I always think of this day as a nightmare, because it’s the end of a long career and I thought it would be in Valencia, but in the end I really enjoyed it, so I have to thank everyone,” said Rossi.
“Everyone who worked with me, the whole paddock, the other riders… it was an unforgettable day and I really enjoyed it. It has been a long career and always a pleasure.”
Rossi, the only rider to win titles in the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP categories, took a final lap of honor on Sunday, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as fireworks lit up the sky, before an emotional farewell with his team. Yamaha Petronas.
A showman on and off the bike, and famous for his post-victory antics, Rossi last won a MotoGP race in 2017 with Yamaha. , the subject of the last MotoGP round, in Valencia, Spain, is the farewell to Valentino Rossi. Many fans present in the stands, yesterday, raised yellow flags with the number 46 stamped during qualifying, which ended with the Italian legend in 10th position on the grid.
At the age of 42, Valentino Rossi announced his decision to retire at the beginning of August this year, in the middle of the season, after the summer break. Nine times world champion, with six titles in the main category of MotoGP added to achievements in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc categories, the rider made history in motorcycle racing.
Results
Champion for the last time in 2009, the Italian had been achieving good final places in the world rankings, including three runners-up between 2014 and 2016, but the inevitable drop in performance began to appear and, since 2019, when he was seventh in the season, he has been getting worse overall, with 15th place in 2020 and 20th place in the current season.
The best finish this year was in Austria, when he finished eighth. The last time he managed to finish in the top three was in July last year, when he took third at the Andalusia GP, his 199th podium in the premier class. Fans who would like to see Rossi reach number 200 have mobilized on social media to ask that opponents make way for him, who toyed with the possibility.
“Unfortunately I think it’s impossible but if they give me a podium position I will be very happy as it will be 200th so it’s important. I can pay them or maybe we can have a party together for the podium and I can pay for everything! But I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
Valentino Rossi’s farewell race starts at 10am today at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.
As Fabio Quartararo was champion among the riders, just as Ducati secured the constructors’ title, the subject of the last MotoGP round, in Valencia, Spain, is Valentino Rossi’s farewell. Many fans present in the stands, yesterday, raised yellow flags with the number 46 stamped during qualifying, which ended with the Italian legend in 10th position on the grid.
At the age of 42, Valentino Rossi announced his decision to retire at the beginning of August this year, in the middle of the season, after the summer break. Nine times world champion, with six titles in the main category of MotoGP added to achievements in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc categories, the rider made history in motorcycle racing.
Results
Champion for the last time in 2009, the Italian had been achieving good final places in the world rankings, including three runners-up between 2014 and 2016, but the inevitable drop in performance began to appear and, since 2019, when he was seventh in the season, he has been getting worse overall, with 15th place in 2020 and 20th place in the current season.
The best finish this year was in Austria, when he finished eighth. The last time he managed to finish in the top three was in July last year, when he took third at the Andalusia GP, his 199th podium in the premier class. Fans who would like to see Rossi reach number 200 have mobilized on social media to ask that opponents make way for him, who toyed with the possibility.
“Unfortunately I think it’s impossible but if they give me a podium position I’ll be very happy as it will be 200th so it’s important.