Valentino Rossi quits!
No, Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) is not a motocross rider. The fact that the 42-year-old MotoGP superstar just announced that he will be hanging up his helmet at the end of the season is nevertheless a memorable event. Maybe one of those “Where were you then” moments…
The reasons why Rossi touched so many people are many. Vale won a total of nine world titles - just like Tony Cairoli - and spanned several generations. He started in the 125cc World Championship in 1996 and was even good for a podium last year in his last season for the Yamaha factory team.
Just like his compatriot Cairoli, Rossi transcended his sport like no other. His sympathetic appearance, sense of style and humor made him a superstar. In his wake, MotoGP grew into a worldwide household name. In the heyday of Rossi-mania, 2004 & 2005, a certain Stefan Everts also rode for Yamaha. The brand with the crossed tuning forks brought both super champions together (photo above). With the exception of a less than successful trip to Ducati in 2011/2011, Valentino Rossi has been riding Yamaha since 2004. Just as well known as the association with Yamaha was his 'personal brand'. The typical yellow AGV helmets designed by design guru Aldo Drudi and a merchandising catalog that many football clubs can appreciate. A gold mine is putting it mildly.
When he left the mighty Honda for challenger Yamaha at the end of 2003, a shock wave went through the paddock. The fact that he also achieved success on the Yamaha M1 made his legend even greater. Unlike many of the other road racing toppers (Marc Marquez, Jack Miller, Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Dovizioso, Jonathan Rea, Scott Redding), the flamboyant Italian was often on the dirt bike, but mainly to train on dirt tracks. Chad Reed, among others, went to Valentino to find Rossi's famous VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia. Check out this video about the how and why of his training on dirt.
In recent years, Rossi has been busy with his own Sky Racing Team by VR46. However, throughout almost his entire career, speculation about a switch to motor racing surfaced from time to time. The racing icon tested a Ferrari F1 several times. In 2006 he was even faster than Mark Webber and David Coulthard, among others, in such a test and he appeared in the World Rally Championship, the WRC. In the Monza Rally Show, Rossi regularly competed against his friend Cairoli!
After 25 years and 115 GP victories, it is now all over for VR46. That was striking for those who saw the legend at work this and last season. In fact, Valentino drove around like a shadow of himself. Which, considering his age, is absolutely no shame.
Yet it seemed for a while that Rossi would also race in 46 as part of a mega deal with the new VR2022 team sponsor Aramco. So it won't get to that point. “This is a sad moment,” he said in the press conference ahead of the Austrian GP. ” Next year I won't be racing anymore. My life will change next year. But it was great, I enjoyed it a lot, it's been a long, long journey and it's been really, really fun. I was in the World Championship for 25, 26 years, so it was great. And I have had unforgettable moments with everyone I have worked with.”
Tekst: Editorial office
Photos: Yamaha Racing/Milagro
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