Sunday November 14, 2021
Fireworks to say goodbye to Rossi
“Dottore” gets off the motorcycle one last time
In the last race of his last season in the motorcycle world championship, Valentino Rossi finished again in the points. The 42-year-old two-wheeler icon is greeted with fireworks and standing ovations at the finish. With the end of his career, an era also ends. However, Rossi is actively involved in his successor.
An era has come to an end, a great man in motorcycling says goodbye. Valentino Rossi ended his long two-wheeler career at the MotoGP season finale. In Valencia, Spain, the horsepower legend started at a Grand Prix for the last time and came in tenth. After crossing the finish line, the fans celebrated him with fireworks and standing ovations.
With 432 starts, 89 wins and 199 podiums in MotoGP, Rossi is the record holder. From 1996 to 2021, the Italian took part in 26 world championships and won nine titles during this period. Rossi prevailed seven times in the premier MotoGP class. “I’ve become something of an icon, and that’s wonderful,” he said with pride, but also with sadness in his voice. The Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) had already secured the world title two races earlier.
The now 42-year-old caused a sensation when he switched from Honda to Yamaha at the end of 2003 and risked a lot. But the poker worked: Rossi continued his streak of success. The first title win with Yamaha is one of the greatest successes for the man with starting number 46. “The motorcycle is in my bedroom today,” said the Italian, who made himself immortal with his fans. For years, the color yellow dominated the grandstands of the World Cup races.
His fame was not damaged when the great successes failed to materialize. In 2009 he was able to prevail in the overall standings for the last time. The team’s internal rivalry with Jorge Lorenzo resulted in Rossi leaving Yamaha at the end of the 2010 season. He signed with the Italian Ducati stable for 2011 and 2012. But the dream of the home fans remained unfulfilled after two years without a title or victories. After that, Rossi returned to Yamaha.
The tenth title would have been nice
He had his tenth world title in mind in 2015, but it slipped away from the racing driver, who is not only one of the most popular athletes in his home country. A maneuver in a duel with Marc Marquez at the Malaysian Grand Prix cost him the triumph. That loss resulted in a fierce rivalry with Marquez. The Spaniard was on track to break the Rossi records in MotoGP.
“Of course I would have liked to have had the tenth world title,” said “Dottore” Rossi, as he is known because of his meticulousness, and added: “My last title was in 2009 and it felt like a lifetime ago. The tenth title would have been a nice round finish. But I can’t complain. “
Rossi no longer drives himself, but takes care of the young Italian drivers. Meanwhile, three of his protégés have made it into MotoGP and have won races. And the only champion in four different classes (125, 250, 500, MotoGP) will lead his own team in the future. His half-brother Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi will drive for him. The most in demand in the paddock, however, is likely to be, who else, Rossi.