MotoGP | GP Valencia Day 1: Valentino Rossi, “I leave the baton to the Academy boys who will be in the Top Class”

MotoGP GP Valencia Yamaha Petronas SRT 2021 – Valentino Rossi ended a difficult first day of testing in Valencia, where on Sunday he will contest the last MotoGP race of a glorious career.

In FP1 the "Doctor" preferred not to take risks given the track made treacherous by the rain and cold, while in the afternoon he finished 1.358s behind Jack Miller, closing the time table.

Here's what the Pesaro native said, underlining once again that his farewell must not be a sad farewell for the fans, but one that must be faced with a smile.

Let's remember that Rossi has a love/hate relationship with the Valencia circuit, where in 2006 and 2015 he lost the MotoGP title at the last race; in 2006 he slipped and despite getting back on the bike the title went to the late Nicky Hayden, while in 2015 he started last after the now famous "events" in Sepang (penalized for the collision with Marc Marquez, ed.) and the title went to Jorge Lorenzo.

Statements Valentino Rossi GP Valencia Day 1

“It was a difficult day, this is always a tough track, one of the most difficult of the season for various factors. Rain wasn't forecast this morning, but then it arrived and it was cold and the conditions were brave, so I only did a few laps. This afternoon went a little better, even if in the first part the track remained a little wet and therefore it was tough, because you had to go in hard with the slicks in the wet. Basically it's a tough, difficult track, it turns all the way to the left, it's hard to stay on the bike, we're in a bit of trouble with tire degradation, at least today. I hope it will be sunny tomorrow so I can have more grip. This track is a big worry, everyone has something that doesn't go down well in their work or in their passions. It's just a technical question of how the track is made, otherwise it's a place that I like, as do the people and the fans. They must face my retirement with a smile, because it is very much my style and my character.”

Statements Valentino Rossi Stress Weekend GP Valencia Day 1

“It's a difficult weekend, because as soon as I get off the bike there's someone who asks for things or tries to make me do other things, but it's very nice, there's a great warmth from everyone, it's a great emotion that's difficult to manage, but on the other hand it's beautiful.”

Statements by Valentino Rossi Remembering Giampiero Galeazzi GP Valencia Day 1

“I am very sorry for Galeazzi's passing. He became legendary with the rowing commentary of the Abbagnale brothers. He was very good as a sports commentator, he was a nice character, he made me laugh and I remember the imitation of Nicola Savino on Radio Deejay, when he spoke on the phone and said 'Legendary, legendary', then when he closed he would send them business...or. That made me laugh because I imagined the real Galeazzi who could really do it. I mentioned this nice memory for an important voice.”

Statements Valentino Rossi Witness left at… GP Valencia Day 1

“It's difficult to name a name, because we are always together with the Academy kids. I could say Migno, as well as Morbidelli or Bagnaia, because they are all important, but I would like to pass my baton to all those who will compete in MotoGP next year. I put them all on the same level, at the moment “Pecco” (Bagnaia) is #1 and it's scary, but also Franco Morbidelli, my brother (Luca Marini) and 'Bez' (Marco Bezzecchi), we expect a lot from them and we hope let all 4 be competitive.”