With 42 years and more than a quarter of a century in the World Cup, Valentino Rossi returns to Mugello, which has been his private garden for decades, to face what could be, if he finally decides to hang up his overalls at the end of the year, his last race on this track.
“This week I feel a little more pressure being Mugello . But this year it’s a bit easier because the paddock is almost empty.”
The fact that this weekend, due to health restrictions due to the pandemic, there can be no fans takes a bit of magic away from the weekend, but the fact that next year there will be is not a compelling reason to Rossi when deciding whether or not to extend his career for another year.
“Coming back here when there are fans is not a reason not to retire. If I want to see them, I can come to see the race next year. It is difficult for him to continue just to see fans in the stands. There is no need to think about whether it is the last grand prix at Mugello , or not. We have to face it as one more special weekend here”, argued the Petronas team rider this Thursday in the run-up to the Italian event.
Another issue that Rossi has on the table is closing a deal for the supply of prototypes for his new MotoGP team, the Aramco VR46 , which debuts in 2022.
“For next year we are talking to Yamaha and Ducati . It is not closed yet, but we can have news next week or in ten days”, he assured.
Rossi was able to confirm some improvements found in the Jerez test during practice at Le Mans , something that was not reflected in the race due to the onset of rain. And now he hopes to endorse it on such a special track for him.
“This is a special place for all Italian motorcycling fans. At Le Mans I was a bit better, but unfortunately the weather conditions made things very difficult, so we will try to confirm it here,” he said.
Despite insisting on his future, Rossi maintains his roadmap of waiting until the summer to make the decision to continue or not. The calendar now reaches tracks such as the Italian one, Barcelona or Assen where he has achieved great successes, and where he can rediscover better sensations.
“We are at an important moment in the World Championship, with four races in five weeks. After Assen (June 27) we will have a month off, and in that period everyone will start thinking about 2022. Then I will make my decision, but it is not only mine; it is also that of Yamaha and Petronas, we have to see each other to know what plans each one has. But it is clear that these races are very important to see if I can be competitive”, he stressed.
The photos of the 2021 season of Valentino Rossi in MotoGP
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Photo by: Dorna
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