ROSSI OPENS UP
The racing legend speaks freely about his fears, favourite tracks and racing at 40.
Just weeks before the MotoGP season gets underway, nine-time the World Champion has been candid about where he is in preparation for the 2019 competition year, including which circuits he likes, who he's keeping an eye on and what it's like being Rossi going into his fourth decade.
Q: Valentino, you said before that when you see your new bike, it’s the kick-off...
A: That for me was really the start of the 2019 season. We took pictures with the new Yamaha M1, and soon we start again. During the break I only did some off-road, and from last week I started training at the gym again.
Q: How many riders have made it to 40 with your level of competitiveness?
A: Years ago, the riders started racing later and many continued their careers almost up to 40 years old or more. I have never thought too much about my age, but I did not think I’d still be competitive at 40. Racing and being competitive has always been my dream.
Q: Are there MotoGP racers that are a bit crazy and forget fear?
A: Yes, sure. Growing up, however, you should pull the oars into the boat and pay more attention. Let’s say it happens more often to see the ‘crazy’ in Moto2 or Moto3, because they want to prove that they are fast. The bravest are always the Japanese or Malaysians, that have started running in extreme conditions. The English, on the other hand, are better under water because it often rains.
Q: Did you have to think about signing the contract to race this year with Yamaha? Were there any doubts or were you sure that you wanted to continue?
A: I thought about it, but then I had no real doubts. I still feel competitive and so I made the choice to continue at least until next year.
Q: What is the difference between an experienced rider like you and a MotoGP rookie?
A: Experience is an important factor to evaluate, because it allows you to work well for the race and you know the tracks well. For their part, young pilots are less afraid of falling and when they do, they do less harm. Furthermore, from a physical point of view, they recover first in the event of an accident. Young people have more courage. There is fear in everyone, I often get scared, and that must be taken into account. To change is how we react to fear.
Q: Among the younger riders, who worries you for the 2019 season?
A: The strongest are definitely Franco Morbidelli and Francesco Bagnaia. I will find them fighting away in the race between themselves, so I have to be aware of them. On the other hand, we have worked to get them to where they are and to make them competitive. Morbidelli will be looked after by crew chief Ramon Forcada, and he’s a technician who knows the Yamaha M1 very well. Speaking of the other classes, my brother, Luca Marini, is also growing a lot. When he won his first race I cried. It would be nice to race with him in 2020.
Q: Marc Marquez looks like one rider who takes risks...
A: Yes, he takes risks. He is very brave, to the point of not even being afraid. He always searches for the limit, and sometimes he overcomes it and he falls. He does not seem to hear the warnings, though. He gets back on the bike and goes back to doing what he was doing.
Q: Although you are among the greatest of all time in GP racing, there's no denying Marquez’s potential to do as many great things. Do you look at what he does and how he does it? Do you take inspiration from what he is doing? Do you try to understand the secrets to his success?
A: Sure. Everyone is interested about what the others riders do. We even go to see what they eat and how they train, so no one is excluded. Certainly, I take inspiration and learn from others, not just from the MotoGP guys, but also from the riders in the smaller classes.
Q: How long do you take to get ready before a race?
A: At least 15 minutes. Getting ready for the race in the right order is a ritual for me. In normal weather on race day I wear shorts, which are similar to cycling shorts, then I have long technical leggings, plus a tight-fitting undersuit. When it is colder, however, I also wear a thermal shirt. The leathers are all perforated normally, but when the temperature is too low I race with a non-perforated set of leathers.
Q: Do you lose weight on race weekends?
A: Yes, about 2.5 kg per race. We are riding about two hours a day throughout the weekend, and during that time you eat little, but well.
Q: What are your favourite tracks?
A: Mugello, Assen, Barcelona and Phillip Island. These four are my favourites, I would say. Assen is one of the very few tracks where only motorcycles run, and was born as a city circuit. It is called the University of Motion because it is a complex track.