MotoGP | Valentino Rossi's retirement: the riders' reaction

Today is a historic day for the world championship: Valentino Rossi announced his retirement at the end of the season, after a career that to say was fantastic is perhaps an understatement: 26 seasons, 9 world titles, 115 victories and 65 pole positions.

Obviously the reactions were immediate, especially from the Doctor's colleagues who shared the track with him and for whom he has always been an idol.

Starting with Maverick Vinales who was Rossi's teammate and who immediately after the announcement reached him and after hugging him told him: “Thank you for everything you taught me”.

Maverick Vinales statements on Valentino Rossi's retirement

“It was my point of reference. I was able to share a team with him, I learned a lot. He has been my idol since I was 3-4 years old until now, a source of inspiration. It's lucky to have competed with him. We all have to thank him, he is the God of motorbikes. We would have liked to race with him forever, but we have to be very grateful to Valentino.".

Visualizza questo post on Instagram

A post shared by Maverick Viñales (@maverick12official)

Fabio Quartararo statements on Valentino Rossi's retirement

“When I was born, Valentino had already won two world championships. I'm racing with him, it's sad to think that he's not with us, he's truly the person who made me want to become a MotoGP champion. As a child I went to his hospitality to ask for a photo, he is a legend, his career is exceptional, he is still my idol, I have no words to describe him".

I have no words… Big congratulations for your amazing career! I'll remember all my life the first race I ever watch you in Jerez 2005 and you motivated me to be where I am today. I had the pleasure to be on track with you for 3 years and share my victory in Jerez with you pic.twitter.com/P2G8Mg8UYl

- Fabio Quartararo (@ FabioQ20) August 5

Johann Zarco statements on Valentino Rossi's retirement

“Thank you Valentino for everything you have given, you have changed the vision of motorbikes over the years, from 2000 until today”.

Joan Mir statements on Valentino Rossi's retirement

“A privilege to be able to race with Rossi. I was more nervous than him when he announced his decision. It seemed like this moment would never come, but at the same time I think he has everything to enjoy life. He's the Michael Jordan of motorcycles. It will be difficult to have another Rossi, I wish him the best".

Visualizza questo post on Instagram

A post shared by MIR36 (@joanmir36official)

Statements by Miguel Oliveira on Valentino Rossi's retirement

“It was a point of reference when I was a child. People loved him even when he wasn't winning like at the beginning, he had an incredible influence on the whole of MotoGP. It's a privilege to be able to share races with him.".

Visualizza questo post on Instagram

A post shared by MiguelOliveira88 (@ 88migueloliveira)

Cal Crutchlow statements on Valentino Rossi's retirement

“Coming back this weekend on the day of Valentino's retirement announcement and being his teammate (replacing the injured Franco Morbidelli, ed.) is crazy. It's incredible what he has done for this sport. If you talk about motorcycles you're talking about Rossi, just say his name and anyone knows what you're talking about. He's a true icon”.

There was also no shortage of statements from Marc Marquez, one of Valentino Rossi's historic opponents:

Marc Marquez statements on Valentino Rossi's retirement

“Valentino has made a career of achieving incredible, unique results, he brought a lot to the track, we learned a lot from him. He didn't just go strong on the track, he did something more, he brought many people closer to motorcycling, he has a special charisma, he continued to work even with the arrival of many young people, he never stopped trying".

Thank you for what you have done for this sport. For me it was an honor to compete with a legend. 💛 #Valentino Rossi pic.twitter.com/BTSGB4URLc

— Enea Bastianini (@eneabastianini) August 5

Visualizza questo post on Instagram

A post shared by Lorenzo Savadori (@sava32)

As life is, admire a person in small ways and share my passion in the greatest possible way. There is still a place to share the adjacent track @ValeYellow46 Thank you! ✊🏼💨 pic.twitter.com/bu9nbIPKWH

— Iker Lecuona (@LecuonaIker) August 5

Honda and Ducati also wanted to express their thoughts on Rossi's retirement:

Thanks for the memories! An iconic chapter of the @MotoGP World Championship will come to a close at the end of this year.

Thanks for the memories, the battles and the good times we shared @ValeYellow46! pic.twitter.com/68eCVAZXef

- Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) August 5

Thank you, @ValeYellow46! You are a true @motogp legend! 🙌🏼 We can't thank you enough for all you have done for our sport! We are proud of having been able to share the track with you! We wish you all the best, knowing that you will continue to inspire future generations of riders! pic.twitter.com/G8M3TM5U7C

- Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) August 5