MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has decided to end his career as a MotoGP rider, the 42-year-old Italian announced this afternoon during a specially scheduled press conference. This means we will see Valentino on a GP machine for the last time this season.
He has endured no less than 26 seasons, managed to win nine world titles, seven of which in the premier class. The last few seasons went a bit less, his last victory was in 2017 at Assen. The announcement therefore does not come as a surprise, earlier this year Rossi already announced that he would make a choice about his career.
"It was a very difficult but right decision," Rossi said during the press conference in Austria. "The results this season have been worse than expected, and that's what matters in the end." Still, the Italian should not complain about his career, he already indicates. “I have experienced many moments that will stay with me forever. And hopefully I can end the rest of the season in a good way.” The press conference ended with a standing ovation. Ciao, Vale!