The greatest of all time leaves: Valentino Rossi says “ciao”

An era has come to an end, a great of motorcycle racing is saying farewell. Valentino Rossi put an end to his long two-wheel career at the MotoGP season finale on Sunday. The horsepower legend competed in a Grand Prix for the last time in Valencia, Spain, and finished tenth. After crossing the finish line, the fans celebrated him with fireworks and a standing ovation.

With 432 starts, 89 wins and 199 podiums in MotoGP, Rossi is the record holder. From 1996 to 2021, the Italian took part in 26 World Championships and won nine titles during this period. Rossi won seven times in the MotoGP premier class. “I have become something of an icon, and that is wonderful,” he said with pride, but also with sadness in his voice. The Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) had already secured the world title two races earlier. “The motorcycle is in my bedroom today” Rossi on his first world title with Yamaha The now 42-year-old caused a stir when he switched from Honda to Yamaha at the end of 2003 and risked a lot. But the poker worked: Rossi continued his winning streak. Winning the first title with Yamaha is one of the greatest successes for the man with starting number 46. “The motorcycle is in my bedroom today,” said the Italian, who made himself immortal among his fans. The color yellow dominated the stands of the World Cup races for years.

His fame did not suffer even when the big successes failed to materialize. In 2009 he was able to prevail in the overall ranking for the last time. The team's internal rivalry with Jorge Lorenzo led to Rossi leaving Yamaha at the end of the 2010 season. He signed with the Italian Ducati stable for 2011 and 2012. But the home fans' dream remained unfulfilled after two years without titles or victories. Rossi then returned to Yamaha.

In Valencia, too, the color yellow and the number 46 were omnipresent in the stands. © ANSA / Kai Foersterling

He had his tenth world title in sight in 2015, but it slipped away from the racing driver, who was one of the most popular athletes not only in his home country. A maneuver in a duel with Marc Marquez at the Malaysian Grand Prix cost him his triumph. This loss resulted in a bitter rivalry with Marquez. The Spaniard was on course to break Rossi records in MotoGP.

“Of course I would have liked to have won the tenth World Cup,” said Dottore Rossi, as he is known for his meticulousness, and added: “My last title was in 2009 and that feels like a lifetime ago. The tenth title would have been a nice rounded conclusion. But I can’t complain.” Young talent & racing in the Ferrari Rossi no longer drives himself, but looks after the young Italian drivers. Three of his protégés have now made it into MotoGP and have won races.

After saying goodbye to two-wheelers, he devoted himself to his second passion: racing on four wheels. In recent years, the charismatic Italian has successfully taken part in GT and rally races. In January, Rossi will compete in a 488-hour race in Abu Dhabi with a Ferrari 3 GT12. Then it should be decided which races he will drive during the year. Fundamental changes are also imminent in private life. Friend Francesca is pregnant and expecting a daughter at the beginning of the new year.

>>> Click here for the race report from Valencia

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The greatest of all time leaves: Valentino Rossi says “ciao”

At the age of 42, motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi is retiring from racing on two wheels. The Italian has won the World Cup nine times. He shapes the sport like no other. He is a hero the likes of which the sports world has rarely seen.

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