Valentino Rossi
Birthday:
16 February 1979, Urbino, Marche, Italy
Height:
178 cm
Valentino Rossi is an Italian professional motorcycle racer and multiple MotoGP World Champion. He is considered to be the greatest and one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time, with nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name - seven of which are in the premier class.Following his father, Graziano Rossi, Valentino started racin...
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Valentino Rossi is an Italian professional motorcycle racer and multiple MotoGP World Champion. He is considered to be the greatest and one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time, with nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name - seven of which are in the premier class.Following his father, Graziano Rossi, Valentino started racing in Grand Prix in 1996 for Aprilia in the 125cc category and won his first World Championship the following year. From there, he moved up to the 250cc category with Aprilia and won the 250cc World Championship in 1999. After graduating to the premier class in 2000, he won the 500cc World Championship with Honda in 2001, the MotoGP World Championships (also with Honda) in 2002 and 2003, and continued his streak of back-to-back championships by winning the 2004 and 2005 titles after leaving Honda to join Yamaha, before regaining the title in 2008 and retaining it in 2009. He left Yamaha to join Ducati for the 2011 season, but it was confirmed in 2012 that he would rejoin Yamaha for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He suffered two winless seasons while at Ducati. Show less «
I never race for records. The motivation to try to beat the record is not enough to continue. You have to enjoy it.
I never race for records. The motivation to try to beat the record is not enough to continue. You have to enjoy it.
The great fights with your strongest rivals are always the biggest motivation. When you win easily it's not the same taste.
The great fights with your strongest rivals are always the biggest motivation. When you win easily it's not the same taste.
I have a lot of energy after 2 A.M. I like to sleep in the morning. I have some problems at the start of the day.
I have a lot of energy after 2 A.M. I like to sleep in the morning. I have some problems at the start of the day.
Also, when I started racing he knew a lot of people and it was more easy for me to find the first bike, so I have a good chance for sure.
Also, when I started racing he knew a lot of people and it was more easy for me to find the first bike, so I have a good chance for sure.
To be a great motorbike racer, the most important thing is passion for the bike.
To be a great motorbike racer, the most important thing is passion for the bike.
My normal life is like being on holiday.
My normal life is like being on holiday.
Maybe the bike is more dangerous, but the passion for the car for me is second to the bike.
Maybe the bike is more dangerous, but the passion for the car for me is second to the bike.
I race to win. If I am on the bike or in a car it will always be the same.
I race to win. If I am on the bike or in a car it will always be the same.
Riding a race bike is an art - a thing that you do because you feel something inside.
Riding a race bike is an art - a thing that you do because you feel something inside.
The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the bike... you have to understand what she wants. I think of a motorcycle as a...Show more »
The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the bike... you have to understand what she wants. I think of a motorcycle as a woman, and I know that sounds silly, but it's true. Show less «
In my opinion we are at the limit now, and 17 races is really too much. With all the testing that we do now, it means we're always on the bi...Show more »
In my opinion we are at the limit now, and 17 races is really too much. With all the testing that we do now, it means we're always on the bike and it's quite difficult. Show less «
I was lucky. My father raced bikes. He gave me the passion very early. I had my first bike when I was three or four years old.
I was lucky. My father raced bikes. He gave me the passion very early. I had my first bike when I was three or four years old.
To win the Championship in the first year will be hard. We need time to become competitive and win races.
To win the Championship in the first year will be hard. We need time to become competitive and win races.
Fortunately during my career I have won more or less everything, so I need to enjoy it to have the right motivation.
Fortunately during my career I have won more or less everything, so I need to enjoy it to have the right motivation.
How do Ferrari know what I'm doing next year when I don't know what I'm doing next week?
How do Ferrari know what I'm doing next year when I don't know what I'm doing next week?
I'm Valentino Rossi. And I want to be a person, not an icon.
I'm Valentino Rossi. And I want to be a person, not an icon.
I would have probably stolen cars - it would have given me the same adrenaline rush as racing.
I would have probably stolen cars - it would have given me the same adrenaline rush as racing.
I am able to ride the bike and think clearly about strategy and tyres. I also have positive thinking. I am very constructively critical.
I am able to ride the bike and think clearly about strategy and tyres. I also have positive thinking. I am very constructively critical.
My father raced bikes. He gave me the passion very early. I had my first bike when I was three or four years old.
My father raced bikes. He gave me the passion very early. I had my first bike when I was three or four years old.
I always enjoyed myself a lot in pre-school.
I always enjoyed myself a lot in pre-school.
Maybe if Graziano make another work or another sport I wouldn't have had this passion to be a rider.
Maybe if Graziano make another work or another sport I wouldn't have had this passion to be a rider.
I don't like being famous - it is like a prison. And driving for Ferrari would make it far worse.
I don't like being famous - it is like a prison. And driving for Ferrari would make it far worse.
Once the races begin it's more difficult and there is never that much time for testing.
Once the races begin it's more difficult and there is never that much time for testing.
I have won on Honda and Yamaha so maybe it is interesting to win with a third team, Ducati, who are Italian.
I have won on Honda and Yamaha so maybe it is interesting to win with a third team, Ducati, who are Italian.
If I test the car for a year I can be quite competitive the next season.
If I test the car for a year I can be quite competitive the next season.
It's a big, big advantage because understanding what changes we might make takes time and it takes time to work out settings and to understa...Show more »
It's a big, big advantage because understanding what changes we might make takes time and it takes time to work out settings and to understand everything about the new machine. Show less «
In 2002 the Yamaha was at more or less the same level as the Honda, better in some ways, worse in others. But in the winter of last year bet...Show more »
In 2002 the Yamaha was at more or less the same level as the Honda, better in some ways, worse in others. But in the winter of last year between 2002 and 2003, Honda made a big step forward and it seemed as if Yamaha couldn't quite match that improvement. Show less «
We have the 2004 M1 here for reference, which is useful. It worked well here last year; we won the race and always did fast lap times so it ...Show more »
We have the 2004 M1 here for reference, which is useful. It worked well here last year; we won the race and always did fast lap times so it will be interesting to compare it to the new bike and it will help us to understand which parts have improved. Show less «
You look at Moto3, the races are very exciting. Moto2 is fantastic, and then MotoGP is boring.
You look at Moto3, the races are very exciting. Moto2 is fantastic, and then MotoGP is boring.
But I could also start F1 or rallying. I love rallying much more.
But I could also start F1 or rallying. I love rallying much more.
As for the level of spectacle of the two disciplines, I leave it to the people who watch the races to comment.
As for the level of spectacle of the two disciplines, I leave it to the people who watch the races to comment.
The work that we do during the winter is very important; we have a new bike and it's important to develop it during this time, and we start ...Show more »
The work that we do during the winter is very important; we have a new bike and it's important to develop it during this time, and we start with this test. Show less «
It is a big problem and so I don't know for sure if I say yes or no to Ferrari.
It is a big problem and so I don't know for sure if I say yes or no to Ferrari.
Valentino Rossi's Photos
