End of an era. Goodbye to one of the GOATs
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has announced he will finally hang up his gloves and boots by retiring at the end of this season, bring an end to a truly incredible 25-year career.
Rossi is one of the sport’s most iconic racers of all time and won seven Moto GP world championships, as well as titles in both Moto 2 and Moto 3. ‘The Doctor’ will no doubt be sorely missed.
Valentino Rossi has announced he will retire from @motogp at the end of the season.
A legend. Our legend.
Thank you for everything, Doctor 🐐#VR46Decision pic.twitter.com/hNrrqNfHDS
— MotoGP on TNT Sports (@motogpontnt) August 5, 2021
Aside from an incredible level of natural talent shown from a young age and all throughout his heyday, perhaps one of the most impressive things about Rossi has been his longevity, continuing to stick it out while younger talents such Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez came through.
His full list of achievements could have been longer, having spent many seasons on bikes that struggled to keep up with the pack and a fair few injuries here and there. Regardless, it’s no overstatement to say that the sport wouldn’t be what it is today without him.
Rossi joined the Petronas team earlier this year, seeing him reunited with Yamaha, the manufacturer that brought him so many successes and challenges down the years, too. However, he has struggled to truly compete at the top of the table for some time now and this was a day we always knew was going to come.
Rossi earned a remarkable 89 wins and 199 podiums in 363 races, stats that see him truly up there with the best of them, only behind the legendary Ángel Nieto and Giacomo Agostini. He gave an emotional press conference informing the press and fans that this would be his last dance. We’re not crying, you are.
"It's a very sad moment. It's difficult to know that next year I will not race with a motorcycle." 💔
"It was a long journey that I enjoyed very much. Next year, my life will change."
The moment Valentino Rossi announced his MotoGP retirement 😢#VR46Decision pic.twitter.com/1kpBTRumVG
— MotoGP on TNT Sports (@motogpontnt) August 5, 2021
From a life-long racing and MotoGP fan, thank you for everything, Vale. Now put your feet up and enjoy your legacy.
In case you never watched him, this is the kind of show he put on so often.
