Valentino Rossi Announces his Retirement from MotoGP

[Beau2]

I thought this deserves its own topic as it is fairly big news that a legend of Motorsport is calling it a day.

It's probably not a surprise to anyone considering how the last couple of seasons have gone for him, particularly this current one.
Nonetheless, it is a sad moment as he's been an ever constant in MotoGP and the grid won't be same without him racing. I'm sure we will see plenty of him as team manager though.

Thank You, Valentino and good luck with the new team.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/58097548

[Adam43]

Legend.

[E.B]

An absolute legend over many many years.... interesting to note current MotoGp Chamionship leader Fabio Quartararo, in a glowing tribute, spoke of Vale as a childhood hero and more to the point, was already a double champion before he (Fabio) was even born.

It was the right time to retire and for sure he will still be very much a part of the paddock in Motorcycling and general Motorsport.

[GORDON STREETER]

it was inevitable considering his form especially on equal bikes (supposedly)? he has always been good for the sport being one of the "Sheene" characters of the modern era and has a huge fan base.
I must admit it's not been good watching Vali finishing (or not) down the blunt end of the race in these last two seasons. Hats off to him for spicing up Moto GP and bringing it to the fore

[S griffin]

No doubt it is the right time. The last few seasons he has sadly been just making up the numbers. However his legacy will never be tarnished. Not only was he one of the greatest GP riders of all time, but also he helped make MotoGP more popular and has been a great ambassador in the sport, always adding a bit of colour with his character. Great sense of humour he had. The amount of tributes throughout the paddock speaks volumes for him. And yes Gordon, he was definitely the Sheene of the 00s, even Nick Harris and Steve Parrish's biography of Bazza mentions the fact

Thank you Vale for the memories. It was thanks to you I got more into bike racing and I hope you can make a success with your VR46 team

[NaBUru38]

Beyond usual greatness. A true hero. Enjoy it, Vale.

[Dani Filth]

absolute Legend, I hope managing a MotoGP team wont take him from racing 4wheels and I'd like to see him at LeMans .. soonish

I was hoping to see him one last time at the Dutch TT in 2022 .. but after this announcement I decided to go to Valencia again this year, just hoping the situation with Covid doesn't get worse . again

[morninggents]

A great competitor and a legend. As Gordon said it's been sad to see him so far down the field this last couple of seasons.
I remember when I first saw him racing I couldn't believe some of the overtaking moves he made.