Rossi’s last stand
The GOAT ends his factory career with 12th place
The great Valentino Rossi arrived at the Yamaha factory team in a blaze of glory and expectation in 2004 at Welkom in South Africa. Having defected from Honda Rossi won on his YZR-M1 debut, beating hated rival Max Biaggi – on a Honda – in the process.
On Sunday at Portimao Rossi departed the Iwata squad with a whimper. The 41-year-old Italian legend finished 12th and almost 19 seconds behind Portugal’s home hero Miguel Oliveira (KTM). After 15 seasons at Yamaha, spilt by two at Ducati (2011-12), emotions were running high with Rossi moving to the satellite SRT Yamaha squad alongside Morbidelli in 2021. Rossi said: “I will miss the people. I don’t think much will change on the technical side. But 15 years of my career are an important part of my life. So it’s mainly the human side. It was an emotional moment when I came back to the box.”
Rossi was in good company in the race finishing in the slipstream of
‘15 years are an important part of my life’
factory teammate Maverick Viñales after another horror day for the 2020 M1.
Qualifying 17th compromised Rossi’s chances. He said: “I was pretty quick in the race but the result is not fantastic.”
Rossi finished an anonymous 15th in the championship, the highlight a third place podium at Jerez 2. The downside being three consecutive crash DNFs at Misano 2, Barcelona and Le Mans.
Next year Rossi, at 42, will chase an elusive 90th premier class victory. The Doctor’s last win was Assen in 2017 and his next one is hard to see on his Portimao form.