Rossi Will Miss Many Things When He Retires From MotoGP

JAKARTA - Valentino Rossi, one of the charismatic and greatest racers of all time, revealed there are several things he will miss after he retires from MotoGP.

The nine-time world champion on Thursday at the Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria, announced he would end his career in MotoGP at the end of the 2021 season.

"As I said, I will decide my future during the summer break. I decided to stop at the end of this season," said Valentino Rossi at a virtual press conference session reported by Antara.

"Unfortunately this will be my last season as a MotoGP rider."

After more than 400 races in his career, Rossi will have to adapt to his new life after retiring.

"I think I will miss the life of an athlete, waking up every morning and training to hit the target and try to win, I love this life," said the rider, who has been on the podium for 235 times, since finishing third in Austria in 1996 with Aprilia 125cc motorcycle.

Rossi has also won 89 wins in the premier class and 26 in the 125cc and 250cc classes.

The Doctor was in his final season as a rider for the Petronas Yamaha SRT satellite team but his form faded towards the end of his career as the veteran finished 19th in the standings with the best finish in P10 out of nine races this season.

While The Doctor's last victory was achieved with Yamaha at the 2017 Dutch Grand Prix.

"I will miss racing on a MotoGP bike," Rossi continued.

Rossi must also be prepared to lose his busyness in the paddock and mingle with the mechanics and team members throughout the weekend.

"Then also on Sunday morning two hours before the race. It's something that is uncomfortable, because you are afraid, this is the emotion," added Rossi.

Yamaha calls Rossi a living legend and a GOAT (Best of All Time) figure in an official statement.

Although he will no longer be on the grid, Valentino Rossi's name will still enliven MotoGP through the VR46 team which will go down in the premier class next season using a Ducati engine.

Luca Marini was set up as one of the drivers for the VR46 team and the sponsors were eager to pair Rossi with his half-brother next season, but the decision was unanimous.

"It's a difficult decision but I think in the end in all sports, the results make the difference. In the end this is the best way," said Rossi, who also admitted that he was sad that he could not win the world title for the tenth time.

Retiring from MotoGP is not the end of everything for Rossi because he still has a high racing spirit.

Having undergone several tests with the Ferrari Formula 1 team between 2004-2010 and down in the rally championship, Rossi is now eyeing four-wheel competitions such as the GT3 or Le Mans Series.