- 2021-08-06
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SPORTS
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MotoGP: Valentino Rossi Announces Retirement from MotoGP
9-time World Champion Valentino Rossi announced that he will retire from MotoGP at the end of 2021.
Over a career spanning more than a quarter of a century, he has nine World Championships, 115 wins and 235 podiums, and being the only rider in history to win titles in the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP categories.
Last year, he left Yamaha Factory Racing, and joined in Petronas Yamaha SRT Team this year. But he has so far been his worst ever, he scoring just 19 points from the first nine races.
As a result, he decided to retire during the summer break.
Valentino Rossi said, “I said I would take a decision for next year after the summer break, and I decided to stop at the end of the season. Unfortunately this will be my last half season as a MotoGP rider. And it's difficult, it's a very sad moment because it's difficult to say it and know that next year I will not race with a motorcycle, I've done that for I think more or less 30 years! Next year, my life will change. But anyway it was great. I've enjoyed it very much, it's been a long, long journey and it was really, really fun. It's 25, 26 years in the World Championship, so it was great. And I had a unforgettable moments with all my guys, the guys who work for me, so... I don't have a lot to say! Just this.”
He continued, “I had a very long career and fortunately I won a lot of races, but I have some moments and victories that are unforgettable. Pure joy. Some things where I laughed for a week and after 10 days I'd still be laughing, wonder why and remember the race. It's difficult, yes. A difficult decision but you need to understand... I think in the end in sport, the results make the difference. So at the end I think it's the right way. It's difficult because I had the chance to race for my team in MotoGP, together with my brother, something that I would like. But it's ok like this I think... we have another half season, I don't know how many races, I think it will be more difficult when we arrive at the last race, but for now it's just to say my decision to everyone. I can't complain about my career!”- source : MotoGP
