I have loved every minute
…BUT ROSSI GOES WITH ONE REGRET
VALENTINO ROSSI has revealed he regrets not making it to 10 world titles across his 25-year career as he prepares to bow out of MotoGP at Valencia tomorrow.
The Doctor, regarded as the most successful motorcycle racer ever, is calling time on his racing career to concentrate on becoming a father and running his own team.
As he lines up for his 432nd Grand Prix, the Italian does not expect to end his glittering career on the rostrum but will go out with a smile.
“I fought a lot to try to win the 10th championship when I was able to race at a good level because my last championship was in 2009 – and 2009 is one life ago,” said Rossi, 42.
“I always thought I’d be very happy if I can win another championship. I thought it was important and also the number 10 is like a finish, a close to the circle.
“But I can’t complain, I’ve had a great career. My last podium at Jerez in 2020 was my 199th and I said then, ‘Maybe this is my last’. I wanted to try for 200 but it’s OK, I can’t complain because it’s been a long, long career and a great pleasure.” Rossi made his World Championship debut on an Aprilia 125cc in 1996, taking the title the following year before stepping up to 250cc in 1998 and winning the 1999 championship.
He moved into the premier class in 2000 and, in just his second season, won the first of five championships in a row, the first two with Honda in 2001 and 2002 before moving to Yamaha, where he took a further five titles between 2003 and 2009. A high-profile move to Ducati in 2010 ended his dominance and he returned to Yamaha three years later but, despite another 10 race wins, was unable to secure the 10th title.
He said: “I think the most positive thing is that a lot of people started to follow MotoGP for my career from the beginning and the sport become bigger all around the world. “It’s good to understand that I became something different, like an icon.”