Nine-time Champion Valentino Rossi to Retire from MotoGP

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Valentino Rossi has announced that he will retire from the MotoGP arena when his contract with Yamaha expires in 2021. He will finish his career on the racing track which has been for 25 years.

He announced his resignation in Austria, Thursday, August 5, 2021, as he prepares for his 10th race of the season.

"I decided to quit at the end of the season. Unfortunately this will be the last half season as a MotoGP rider. It is difficult," he said, as quoted by Crash.

" it is a very sad moment because it is difficult to say and to know that I will not be riding the bike next year."

"I’ve been doing this for more or less 30 years. Next year my life will change. Anyway, it was great, I’m really enjoying this long, long journey and it was really, really fun."

"It was a very long journey. Really funny. 25-26 years in the world championship."

"In all sports, results make a difference, so in the end it's the right way. I have the opportunity to race for my team in MotoGP together with my brothers, something I definitely like. But anyway it's okay like this too, I think. I I won't complain about my career!"

Petronas Yamaha SRT racer, Valentino Rossi sits next to his motorbike before competing in the Portuguese GP, at the Algarve International Circuit, Portimao, Portugal, April 18, 2021. Valentino Rossi announced that he will retire from the MotoGP arena when his contract with Yamaha expires in 2021. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Valentino Rossi is one of the most successful figures in the racing arena. He is a nine-time World Champion, including seven times in the MotoGP arena. He has run 400 races, won 115 wins and 235 podiums.

This season, he defended the Petronas Yamaha SRT team and had the toughest season of his career. The Italian racer only carved one top ten finish at Mugello, Italy.

As the most senior rider on the MotoGP grid, Rossi is the only rider in history to win the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP classes.

The 42-year-old racer now has his own racing team, VR46, which will enliven the premier class event in 2022.

Valentino Rossi's statistics in the premier class as reported by the official MotoGP website:

World champion title: 7
Grand Prix debut: South Africa, 2000
First podium: Spanish Grand Prix, 2000, P3
First win: British Grand Prix 2000
Total podium finish: 199
Pole position: 55
Grand prix winner: 89
Grand prix runner-up: 61
Rank three grand prix: 49
Fastest lap record: 76.

Valentino Rossi's stats in MotoGP this season:

Shown: 9 times
Failed to finish: 3 times
Finish in top 10: 1 time (Italy)
Standing position: 19 (17 points).

NURDIN SALEH