Rossi: MCN exclusive interview (Part 3)

‘I don’t want to stop. I know it won’t be easy’ 

MCN find out what Rossi’s got planned for the future from those closest to him

Friends to the end….

Uccio Salucci

Rossi’s best mate since school and still his right-hand man

“For sure it’s good news for us, for two more years and staying with Yamaha. The relationship with Yamaha is getting better and better, Valentino is just as fast as ever, and we’re very happy. When VR46 and Yamaha want the same things, it makes it easy for us.

“Next year we’ll do one bike in Moto2 next year with Fenati, and we’re very happy with that too, because it’s a new challenge for us. It’s going to be exciting, and it’s good to see VR46 become a little bigger too. It’s very important for him to have the Academy kids – it’s unbelievable how much staying with the young riders keeps him younger too!”

Davide Brivio

Boss of the Suzuki MotoGP team and an old friend of Rossi’s 

“Of course it’s good news to see Valentino staying for two more years. I think every fan is happy about this; you can see how he’s still the most popular racer all around the world.

“Having him in MotoGP attracts a lot of spectators, and everyone should be happy that he’s staying. It’s a shame though because it means we never have the chance to say hello on a race weekend!”

Lin Jarvis

Movistar Yamaha’s team boss

“From Vale‘s side this is a statement of commitment to the sport he loves and towards the Yamaha brand; from Yamaha‘s side it’s a confirmation of the recognition to the rider that has brought us four MotoGP world titles and who remains so passionate about his sport and is still highly competitive.

“This new agreement confirms that Vale will finish his racing career with Yamaha. I think his expectation and ours is that this will be his last contract in MotoGP – but, as we’ve learned, you can never say never!” 

The teams Rossi’s ridden for 

2000

Rossi, the reigning 250GP champion, graduates to 500GP. Honda build him a new team around the departing Mick Doohan’s crew. Second in his first year, he wins the title the following season.

2002

With the new four-stroke machinery comes a new team for Rossi, as Repsol Honda absorbs his satellite team. He rewards them with titles in both years of his two-year deal.

2004

Bored of winning with ease at Honda, Rossi sets himself a new challenge and switches to the underdog Yamaha. Winning his first race on the M1, he delivers two more titles in two years. 

2006

Staying with Yamaha for a further two years, Rossi suffers the rare ignominy of being beaten both years, first by American Nicky Hayden and then by Aussie Casey Stoner.

2008

Finding his mojo again on the 800cc machines, Rossi takes two more wins in two years. Jorge Lorezno joins the squad as his team-mate; something set to help define Rossi’s future.

2010

Rossi signs a one-year deal with Yamaha, as tensions in the squad become so severe that they are effectively split into two teams. To make it worse, Lorenzo beats him to the title.

2011

Once again keen for a new challenge, and the prospect of winning on an Italian bike, Rossi makes the ill-fated switch to Ducati. What follows are two years of languishing outside the top six.

2013

Rossi returns to Yamaha – but takes his time to find his pace, finishing the first year in fourth with many saying he’s too old. He shoots down his critics in 2014 by finishing second in the title.

2015

Rossi starts a second two-year deal with Yamaha, again taking second in the first year as he uses his consistency to only just miss out on a record-breaking tenth title. 

2017

Fully committed with Yamaha, we’ll see Rossi racing a MotoGP bike at the grand old age of 39. Who knows what the future – and two more years with Yamaha – will bring for Rossi?

Words: Simon Patterson Photos: Gold and goose