Motorcycle racing has truly seen the end of an era.
Valentino Rossi has finally retired after a Grand Prix career that spanned a quarter of a century. The 42-year-old raced for the final time at the Valencia MotoGP, to bring the curtain down on a highly successful spell that began in the old 125cc category back in 1996.
25 years, four classes and nine world championships later (seven of which were in the Premier Class), Rossi leaves as one of the biggest (and most popular) names the sport has ever seen.
His iconic number 46 – which Rossi has used his entire career - has been a fixture not only on the grid… but also on shirts, helmets and flags proudly displayed by his legion of fans around the world. In fact, it’s been argued that Rossi singlehandedly helped popularize MotoGP.
So it was no surprise that fans, colleagues and even celebrity friends pulled out all the stops to bid Rossi a fond goodbye.
An estimated 75,000 spectators, most of whom were in the iconic #46 in fluorescent yellow turned up for his final race in Valencia. A fireworks display accompanied Rossi as he did a final lap of honour, and after the race he was mobbed by his team and fellow riders.
There was even a special video by sports and entertainment personalities like Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise… paying tribute to Rossi’s inspiration and influence on their own careers.
But while this may be the last time we’ll see Rossi on the track, it definitely will not be his last appearance in the paddock.
Rossi owns the VR46 team that currently competes in the Moto2 category, so the Italian will undoubtedly be in the garage again soon, to oversee the next generation of riders under his tutelage.
But until then, all that’s left to say is #GrazieVale
By: Nicholas Darren John
