77 replies to this topic

[Risil]

After a world championship career spanning 25 seasons, 115 Grand Prix wins, 235 podium finishes and 9 titles, Il Dottore is calling it a day. He'll probably focus on team management with his VR46 racing team next year.

 

https://www.autospor...rement/6642493/

 

The end of an era! There's a lot to say about him but there's no doubt he's contributed a great deal to elevating the sport of motorcycle racing across the world. There have been more naturally gifted riders, more dominant ones, and riders who did more to advance the science of motorcycle racing, but in his sheer force of personality he has been unique and peerless.

[OvDrone]

It is time. Grazie mille Vale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The incredible world of GTs are welcoming you to your new home, Doctor.

[thegamer23]

The Legend leaves!

Rossi gave so much to the sport, he literally changed MotoGP.

Can't wait to follow his future projects, think he can still have a long career in car racing if he decides to keep competing somehwere.

(WEC, GT, WTCTR?)

[Retrofly]

He will always be my GOAT.

 

Growing up in the early 2000's messing around the streets on my NSR125, turning in every weekend to Eurosport listening to Toby and Joules and watching what amazing feats Rossi could pull off.

 

Arrivederci VR46!

[Izzyeviel]

Thank god, I love the dude, but its painful watching him in this form.

[ch103]

Hats off to the GOAT.  

[JHSingo]

Genuinely a bit emotional about this.   My sporting idols growing up were Michael Schumacher and Valentino Rossi. I've watched Rossi from my childhood, through my teens, and now into my twenties. 

 

Thanks for the (many) memories, Vale! 

[Ellios]

[juicy sushi]

After a world championship career spanning 25 seasons, 115 Grand Prix wins, 235 podium finishes and 9 titles, Il Dottore is calling it a day. He'll probably focus on team management with his VR46 racing team next year.

 

The end of an era! There's a lot to say about him but there's no doubt he's contributed a great deal to elevating the sport of motorcycle racing across the world. There have been more naturally gifted riders, more dominant ones, and riders who did more to advance the science of motorcycle racing, but in his sheer force of personality he has been unique and peerless.

Yeah, probably the single biggest star in motorsports in the last 25 years.  Other riders eventually caught up to him as he slowed down, but the irresistible charisma that he projected was something unmatched across other series.  The efforts of Ferrari to try to get him into F1 in the mid-2000s as everyone realized he provided the fun that F1 was missing said it all.

[lewislorenzo]

Absolute legend of sport

[Risil]

Yeah, probably the single biggest star in motorsports in the last 25 years.  Other riders eventually caught up to him as he slowed down, but the irresistible charisma that he projected was something unmatched across other series.  The efforts of Ferrari to try to get him into F1 in the mid-2000s as everyone realized he provided the fun that F1 was missing said it all.

 

Rossi's arrival in the 500cc class also coincided, more or less, with the decisive swinging of the pendulum away from World Superbike (a really, really fun series) and back towards Grand Prix racing. There was a lot more to that change than just Valentino but he gave the rebranded MotoGP championship a huge tailwind.

[thegamer23]

[OvDrone]

My favorite memory is South Africa, Welkomm 2004.

 

What he achieved that day, still resonates with me personally and I knew then at this man is and will always be one of the very best.

 

 

 

 

Wasn't ever completely at his side as I was more of a neutral-leaning Biaggi supporter, and liked it when JLo beat him in 2010. But always had his back when against Stoner and Marquez. Some incredible, eternal memories.

 

Thank you Valentino

WE GT3 #46 NOW

[milestone 11]

Thanks for the memories Vale!

Edited by milestone 11, 05 August 2021 - 15:27.

[jannyg]

Grew up watching those epic battles with Gibernau which started my initial interest in MotoGP

 

Enjoy retirement champ

[Requiem84]

Probably one of the guys who gave us all some of the best motorsport memories in the world. 

 

Not sad to see him go, his time was over.

[Risil]

Probably one of the guys who gave us all some of the best motorsport memories in the world. 

 

Not sad to see him go, his time was over.

 

Yeah. As long as there were teams who wanted him it was his decision to make, but since Austria last year I'd personally shifted from "I hope he does well" to "I hope he doesn't get hurt before he retires".

[Ruusperi]

I don't even remember MotoGP without Rossi. He's been so long there. End of an era. Suddenly I feel much older  

 

Interestingly, no mention about this in Finnish media. No wonder the race was cancelled, as there's no interest in MotoGP whatsoever.

[Chick0]

Is been a real honour the watch you race ( on Screen and live) -  will always the be the GOAT.   Just get to the end of this season safely...... 

[Risil]

BBC Sport is saying that Rossi is "the only rider in history to win World Championships in 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP", which is a bit of a cheat but I suppose is technically true.

[Astandahl]

Crying a bit right now.

 

Another hero of mine that will leave the sport...

 

Pretty much the only reason i watched Motogp in the first place.

 

Absolute GOAT.

[Zoe]

I don't think that I remember watching any bike race without Rossi in the setup.... Can't say that I approved all of his moves and tactics, but he was undoubtedly one of the Great Aliens of the sport! Sad to see him leave like that though, riding around somewhere for 12th place.

[genius83]

BBC Sport is saying that Rossi is "the only rider in history to win World Championships in 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP", which is a bit of a cheat but I suppose is technically true.

Well technically he wins 125cc, 250cc, 500cc, 800cc and 1000cc world championships.

[Frankbullitt]

Loved watching him, always will.

 

Enjoy the well earned retirement.

[SophieB]

Always get a bit of a kick seeing those ‘46’ stickers on cars around town, always have the dopey impulse to want to say ‘I like motorsport too!’. One of the few people of recent times to transcend the sport and a great showman. Always got the impression he fed off the adoration of the crowd.

[Alan Lewis]

As with the recent thread on Michael Schumacher's place in the four-wheeled pantheon, whether Valentino ranks first amongst the two-wheeled gods or not is an unanswerable question. That he is in that company is undeniable.

There was a time when it seemed inevitable that Agostini's 122 Grand Prix wins would be surpassed. But it is not to be...at least not yet.

[Disgrace]

It had to happen - Assen must have been a crushing, definitive blow. Thankfully his last season will be a mere footnote.

 

What a career, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say MotoGP will be quite the same without him on track. But he still has time to achieve more as a team owner.

[Yoshi]

There are some many epic moments with Rossi.. Thanks for everything GOAT 

Quite a sad day for me as a Fan... but I knew this day will come sooner or later. 

Enjoy the well earned retirement. 

[TomNokoe]

Always get a bit of a kick seeing those ‘46’ stickers on cars around town, always have the dopey impulse to want to say ‘I like motorsport too!’. One of the few people of recent times to transcend the sport and a great showman. Always got the impression he fed off the adoration of the crowd.

When I was taking my first steps into adulthood (lol) 6-7 years ago, I was at the bank setting up a savings account, and the woman helping me was asking about savings goals, etc. I probably said something naff like "I want to go and watch Formula 1 races", to which she told me she was a huge MotoGP and Rossi fan. I've always remembered it. I don't watch MotoGP, but as you've said, he transcended the sport. End of an era, indeed.

[Boing 2]

He got me into bike racing back in 03 or so having only really dabbled in the past but it was instantly obvious you were watching generational talent and then some, it didn't seem to matter where you put the guy, he always came through to fight for the win. MotoGP's been a bit flat since he fell away from the sharp end and I'm finding it difficult to get excited about races now. A sad but inevitable day, just glad to see him getting out in one piece considering how much time he spent on the edge of the precipice, equally glad to see him continue as a team boss, would be sad to see him walk away altogether.

[PlatenGlass]

BBC Sport is saying that Rossi is "the only rider in history to win World Championships in 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP", which is a bit of a cheat but I suppose is technically true.

I also think it's a bit of a cheat calling him a 9-time champion. I know it's always done like that in bike racing, but he's "only" won 7 at the top level. It may have been the case in the past that the other categories weren't strictly junior categories, but surely they have been considered to be so for years now. It's been a long time since Freddie Spencer won both 500cc and 250cc championships in 1985.

Edited by PlatenGlass, 05 August 2021 - 16:32.

[messy]

When I was a kid I was more into World and British Superbikes, that seemed to be where it was at and my motorbike heroes were Neil Hodgson and Akira Yanagawa (because I liked the Kawasaki bike). GP racing was this odd backwater thing that seemed to be mainly a Spanish thing, WSB was the main thing I liked.

Rossi was the guy who changed everything. I followed his progress in the back pages of Autocar, I think it was, his crazy celebrations and so on, and when he came into the Premier class that was when I started watching, his yellow Honda fighting Biaggi's red Yamaha....

The guy is just a legend, up with Sebastian Loeb as one of THE all time motorsport greats, who defined their sport. The last two years have been a bit painful, but if you want to see a fully competitive Rossi you only have to look back as far as 2019, really - incredible to keep it going for so long especially as guys like Stoner and Lorenzo have come in as the young guys ready to take over his crown and then long since retired themselves while he's still there.

Edited by messy, 05 August 2021 - 16:38.

[Coral]

I'm sad, but not entirely surprised, to hear about Valentino Rossi's retirement. He was the rider who got me into motorbike racing in the first place. I can't imagine MotoGP without him.

 

Thanks for the memories Vale...enjoy your retirement you legend!

[Risil]

I also think it's a bit of a cheat calling him a 9-time champion. I know it's always done like that in bike racing, but he's "only" won 7 at the top level. It may have been the case in the past that the other categories weren't strictly junior categories, but surely they have been considered to be so for years now. It's been a long time since Freddie Spencer won both 500cc and 250cc championships in 1985.

Nah, that's just tradition. Besides, the 250cc championship that Rossi won was probably as competitive as 500cc was.

[ArnageWRC]

I suspect it's like the 'retirement' of Loeb ; the end of his MotoGP career - but possibly continuing in another series, not a full time stop. 

[messy]

Nah, that's just tradition. Besides, the 250cc championship that Rossi won was probably as competitive as 500cc was.

Yeah, motorbike GP has always had a different tradition, the 125s and 250s are seperate classes rather than junior/feeder series....less so these days though especially with the adoption of Moto2 and Moto3 naming. I think that's a shame in truth.

[BRG]

The guy is just a legend, up with Sebastian Loeb as one of THE all time motorsport greats, who defined their sport. 

Two guys who have graced their respective areas of the sport with courage, enthusiasm, integrity, outstanding skill and character.  We have been fortunate to see two if the truly all-time greats.  

 

Time to move on, Vale, but thanks for all the thrills and memories.  #46

[Singularity]

I noticed him already in his first season in 125, 1996. It was not his riding that caught my attention, instead I refereed to him as "the kid  who is always smiling" until I eventually learned his name. So many memories. I will never forgive Marc Marquez for killing Rossi's chances of winning the championship in 2015. In my opinion he tried to help Lorenzo and regardless if that is true or not, he did not respect the contenders in the championship battle. 

It was great times Valentino, for many of us. Enjoy life.

[messy]

2015 gutted me twice over - both Rossi and Montoya being pipped at the death for fairytale championship titles.

[JHSingo]

2015 gutted me twice over - both Rossi and Montoya being pipped at the death for fairytale championship titles.

 

Why did you have to bring that up? 

 

Maybe inspiration for a thread? Motorsport results you wish had a different outcome? 

[rockdude101]

A shame he announced this after Mugello, but Misano will be beautifully sad. 

 

The greatest bows out. 

[SenorSjon]

Genuinely a bit emotional about this. My sporting idols growing up were Michael Schumacher and Valentino Rossi. I've watched Rossi from my childhood, through my teens, and now into my twenties.

Thanks for the (many) memories, Vale!

I had that feeling when Schumacher bowed out. Rossi less so, because I'm also older.

Where Schumacher quit while he could have won 07 and 08, I don't have the feeling Rossi would have missed any championships by retiring.

He was the reason I followed MotoGP, always a trick up his sleeve, but he never really recovered from his last cross incident about 5 years ago. I don't think the current TC-heavy bikes were playing into his talents as well.

[MCR]

He’s retiring but I’m not retiring my Rossi hats.

[RekF1]

I've always had a soft spot for him. Hated adored never ignored.

[greenman]

2015 gutted me twice over - both Rossi and Montoya being pipped at the death for fairytale championship titles.

I think I'll always be a bit salty because of what happened in 2015. It was a remarkable comeback for Rossi to even be in this position at that stage of his career after all those years, failing with Ducati, coming back to Yamaha and not being nowhere near Lorenzo's pace... To think it went to pieces because MM decided to interfere (although obviously Rossi himself didn't react well either).

 

So yeah obviously it was coming for a while now, but I'm still sad that we're here. With Messi leaving Barcelona, these are like the last two remnants of my teenage years gone lol. I was a bigger fan of F1 back then, but there was no other athlete that paralleled Rossi in my eyes. Such a character. Even nowadays I always find myself checking how Rossi is doing, even if there's a race up front.

 

Laguna Seca '08 is stuff of the legends, probably still the best race I have seen to date. Sure there were some sketchy moments from Rossi's side (cutting the corkscrew), but he knew what he needed to do to beat Stoner that day. Totally killed Stoner's momentum in the championship, too.

 

It's a shame that he doesn't seem to be comfortable on current bikes, at least not so that we could realistically hope for one last podium (it seems so long ago, but it actually happened once last season). Hope there will be fans at Misano...

[MortenF1]

What a legend! I’m a little sad but he will continue in the sport, and also his competitiveness isn’t what it used to be.
He’s the biggest star bike-racing will ever see! I hate thinking back to Marquez and co ganging up on him. Rossi is a sympathetic guy. Glad I got to “know” him.

[FLB]

GT racing next?:

 

http://www.dailyspor...-confirmed.html

[HeadFirst]

He’s retiring but I’m not retiring my Rossi hats.

 

Good for you Dude, wear them with pride.

[CoolBreeze]

Happy that he's safely retiring, and wishing that he will have a peaceful and happy life. 

 

However, i personally think he has overstayed in MotoGP.  Anyhow, it was really awesome watching his battles over the years. 

[ClubmanGT]

Always got the feeling that he was part of a special group of racers who could possibly jump in anything and be competitive. 

 

They are few and far between.