MotoGP | Honda greets and thanks Valentino Rossi

MotoGP Valentino Rossi retirement – With a long statement, Honda celebrated Valentino Rossi's retirement with a special greeting and thanks.

Together with Honda HRC, Valentino Rossi won three consecutive premier class world championships from 2001 to 2003, winning 31 of 48 races.

The rider from Pesaro made his debut in the premier class astride the motorcycle from the Golden Wing company, the historic NSR500 with which he finished second. With over 100 points ahead of its nearest rival the following year the #46 dominated to take the title. During that season he achieved a milestone for Honda, taking Honda's 500th Grand Prix victory with a thrilling race at Suzuka.

2002 was the year of the introduction of the 1000cc four-stroke motorcycles and Honda debuted the RC211V with Valentino Rossi within the Repsol Honda Team. In its debut season the new RC211V, with its V5 engine, won 14 of 16 races and finished on the podium in every event.

2003 followed a similar pattern as Rossi finished on the podium in all sixteen Grands Prix that season and took a third consecutive title with Honda. One of the highlights of the 2003 season was the Australian Grand Prix, where Rossi pushed the RC211V to overcome a ten-second penalty. Ultimately, finishing 15 seconds ahead of second place, Rossi won the race despite the penalty. The season, and his time with Honda, ended in style with a special one-off livery at the final race of the year in Valencia. Often referred to as the “Austin Powers bike”, this Rossi-era RC211V remains one of the most memorable liveries of his career. 2003 would also be Valentino Rossi's most dominant season in the premier class, averaging 22,3 points per race.

The RC211V achieved a total of 48 victories, 33 of which belonged to Rossi, before the RC212V was introduced in 2007.

Since leaving Honda, Rossi has continued to be a fierce competitor and rival on the track. His level of competition continued to push Honda HRC and its riders to give their best on the track. Now his Grand Prix racing career is coming to an end, but “The Doctor” leaves behind an incredible story and a decisive chapter in motorcycle racing.

Honda Racing Corporation thanks Valentino Rossi for his collaboration, cooperation and competition over the years and wishes him all the best as he begins a new phase.