Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi breaks silence over tax investigation

Valentino Rossi has said he will take ‘full responsibility’ if any wrongdoing on his part is proved at the conclusion of a multi-million tax investigation launched by Italian authorities.

Speaking for the first time in public about the £40m tax investigation, the 28-year-old insisted he had done nothing wrong and believed he had acted ‘under the law.’

Valentino Rossi refused to speak to the media at the last round in Brno but broke his silence this afternoon when he attended the pre-event press conference on the eve of the Misano MotoGP race this weekend.

Valentino Rossi said: “It’s difficult for me to explain in English but I try. I make all under the law. I’m quiet for that because if after this control they then say that something is wrong I am ready to take all my responsibility. I make the best for me and it’s possible to make like this. I make the same thing that all the people makes in my position.”

The Fiat Yamaha rider admitted it had been difficult not to have been distracted by the tax investigation, which emerged during the summer break shortly before the Czech Republic MotoGP race.

“For sure it is difficult because when you have to ride the bike and when you have to go at the maximum you have to stay concentrated and relaxed for try to not make any mistakes. This is a dangerous sport but for sure the treatment of me was not very good. I have heard a lot of strange things but I think I make everything under the law. I’m quiet because it’s like this but for sure it is difficult,” said Rossi.

He said it would be easier to focus on his seemingly impossible task of chasing down a 60-point disadvantage on Casey Stoner in front of his home fans in Misano.
Despite Valentino Rossi’s recent troubles it seems nothing can detract from his popularity, not least in Misano with his hometown of Tavullia a short distance away.

He added: “For sure Brno was more difficult to keep the concentration because it was at the centre of all the problems. Like I saw I am quiet and the situation is clearer. It’s not a fantastic moment but it is more normal.”

Asked if he had spent more time recently on the beach or in the lawyer’s office, the seven-times world champion said: “On the beach.”

It is not yet been clarified whether Rossi will resume his normal daily press debriefs in Misano this weekend after they were cancelled in Brno.