35 replies to this topic

[Singularity]

Valentino Rossi, born 16th of February 1979 in Urbino, Italy

In 1995, 16 years old, he won the Italian 125cc Championship

1996 he entered the 125cc World Championship, finished 9th in the championship with 1 win and 1 3rd place
1997 125cc World Championship. World Champion. 13/15 podiums of which 11 was victories.
1998 250cc World Championship. Runner up behind Loris Capirossi. Never finished off the podium. 5 wins and 5 DNF
1999 250cc World Championship. World Champion. 12/16 podiums. 9 wins

2000 500cc World Championship. Runner up behind Kenny Roberts Jr. 10/16 podiums, 2 wins
2001 500cc World Championship. World Champion. 13/16 podiums, 11 wins
2002 MotoGP. World Champion. 15/16 podiums (1 DNF), 11 wins
2003 MotoGP. World Champion. 16/16 podiums, 9 wins
2004 MotoGP. World Champion. 11/16 podiums, 9 wins
2005 MotoGP. World Champion. 15/16 podiums (1 DNF), 11 wins
2006 MotoGP. Runner up to Nicky Hayden. 10/16 podiums, 11 wins

2007 MotoGP. 3rd behind Stoner and Pedrosa. 8/16 podiums, 4 wins
2008 MotoGP. World Champion. 15/18 podiums, 9 wins
2009 MotoGP. World Champion. 13/17 podiums, 6 wins
2010 MotoGP. 3rd
2011 MotoGP. 7th
2012 MotoGP. 6th
2013 MotoGP. 4th
2014 MotoGP. 2nd
2015 MotoGP. 2nd
2016 MotoGP. 2nd

2017 MotoGP. 5th
2018 MotoGP. 3rd
2019 MotoGP. 7th
2020 MotoGP. 16th

2021 MotoGP. Currently 20th

An impressive career. 22 Seasons in the Premier Class.

There's a lot to say about him, of course, apart from the statistics, but I leave that to others.

I was thinking, since most of the positions of importance in the championship is settled, how great it would be if all the riders, starting the last lap, would just hold their positions and let Rossi take his last victory, in his last race. Yes, it would be a bit fake, but also very beautiful. 

Valentino will start his last race tomorrow, 14/11, at 10th position on Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.

What is your favorite Valentino moment? 
 

Edited by Singularity, 14 November 2021 - 12:18.

[Atreiu]

He is not my favourite rider but I have no problem admitting he's the GOAT. Cheers.

[thegamer23]

Grew up watching his wins, gonna be quite an emotional day tomorrow.

Never though this day would come, but here we are.

 

In my mind, he's the greatest of all time.
A combination of incredible on-track records, charisma and an exuberant personality off the track, that attracted millions of fans & literally moved the masses all around the world.

He did so much for the sport, like nobody else, and helped rising up an entire new generation of talents with his Riders Academy.

 

G-O-A-T

 

Edited by thegamer23, 13 November 2021 - 22:24.

[SenorSjon]

I never expected 2009 to be his last title. 

[Atreiu]

I never expected him to go to Ducati.

[Singularity]

I will never forgive Marquez for Malaysia 2015

[jonpollak]

What channel in the UK ?
Jp

[HerbieMcQueen]

He's been a part of my childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Share a name. Our families are from towns 45 minutes away from each other. Brilliant sportsman, hope tomorrow ends happily for him.

[jonpollak]

The Resident Rossi has spoken.
Jp

[paulb]

He is not my favourite rider but I have no problem admitting he's the GOAT. Cheers.

Sums up my thoughts perfectly. He is a singular personality and talent. I did enjoy the post race victory antics.

[New Britain]

I will never forgive Marquez for Malaysia 2015

Indeed. In my book Vale's last title was in 2015, not 2009.

[jumpeyspyder]

Sad to say goodbye to an amazing racer!   
After his test sessions with Ferrari I'd always hoped he'd compete in F1 

[thegamer23]

 

 

Your favourite races?

I'll go with Barcellona 2009. 
One of the greatest duel in motorbike history, and that overtake in the last corner...

 

 

 

 

Edited by thegamer23, 14 November 2021 - 08:36.

[pRy]

Yes that last lap will always be right up there as one of the greatest of laps of all time. Rossi gave us so many magic moments like that over the years. He will be missed. Although I don't think he was ever really the same after his big 2010 crash. I'm sure he'd strongly disagree. 

 

Thanks for the memories Valentino! 

[thegamer23]

VR46 Academy Riders will run today with Replica helmets

 

 

 

[Bleu]

Nobody dared to go with the best Rossi helmet ever:

 

[thegamer23]

And btw

 

14/11/21

 

14+11+21 =  46

 

Edited by thegamer23, 14 November 2021 - 10:53.

[Singularity]

And btw

 

14/11/21

 

14+11+21 =  46

 

[Singularity]

I don't remember when I last was this nervous ahead of a MotoGP... 

[Singularity]

[SophieB]

Emotional scenes. Always loved how clear it was how he fed on the crowd’s adoration, powering him onwards, fantastic to see it one last time.

[Pete_f1]

The Doctors surgery is now closed.

Edited by Pete_f1, 14 November 2021 - 13:52.

[thegamer23]

Grazie vale

[JHSingo]

Valentino Rossi started racing in MotoGP when I was seven years old. I'm now 28. Over the years he's been an almost near constant figure at race weekends. 

 

Tears have been shed. Thank you for all the wonderful memories, Vale. 

Edited by JHSingo, 14 November 2021 - 14:17.

[OvDrone]

What a day - a fitting 10th place for Vale in his last ever MotoGP race.

 

I remember Brno '96 as one of my very first personal Motorsport memories and his 2004 season opening win in South Africa will live on with me forever.

 

Grazie Vale, see you in the GTs.

[Astandahl]

My favourite moment ever

 

[engineblock1]

Though I dont follow MotoGP, but I know Valentino Rossi the same way as anyone not a regular follower of F1 knows Michael Schumacher. As news of his retirement from MotoGP came out, I was a bit shocked at the same time to learn he has not been winning big lately.

 

[thefinalapex]

Moto GP without Rossi will be strange. Grazie Vale, thanks for all the memories and have a lot of fun in endurance racing. Shame he never did F1 with Ferrari.

Edited by thefinalapex, 14 November 2021 - 20:20.

[Kaiser]

I will never forgive Marquez for Malaysia 2015

 

People act like Rossi is a saint. He's punted plenty of people. Sete in Spain 2004? for example. 

[SenorSjon]

Your favourite races?

I'll go with Barcellona 2009.
One of the greatest duel in motorbike history, and that overtake in the last corner...

More annoyingly, I remember it vividly, yet it is 12 years ago... wow.

[Risil]

If 12 years have to go by, I'd rather remember it vividly. Which I do! It's a privilege to have watched such a special period of bike racing.

[paulb]

I got dust in my eyes watching the race and the finish tributes.

[thegamer23]

Arrivederci!

[pRy]

Rossi and his 7 title bikes. I like the little engine noises he makes whilst he's sat on a few of them.

 

[Retrofly]

I can't imagine a MotoGP weekend where there wont be yellow VR46 still flying, the legend will never been forgotten. Cheers Vale!
 

Biaggi
Gibernau
Hadyden
Stoner
Lorenzo
Pedrosa
Marquez

A fantastic list of names he was up against and he gave them all an amazing challenge.

[dissident]

While I wish he had retired a couple of seasons earlier, his longevity is just as impressive as his overall record.

 

The fact he was a tittle contender in his mid thirties is truly remarkable - doing this on two wheels vs the likes of Lorenzo and Marquez almost unbelievable.

 

Like Schumacher and Jordan in their time, Rossi became bigger than the sport itself. Will be fun following him on 4 wheels.