Apart from Fabio Quartararo, the great protagonist of this Sunday in Misano after proclaiming himself MotoGP world champion, it was Valentino Rossi who also monopolized a good part of the spotlights at the end of the race.
The Italian climbed from the last place on the grid to 10th at the finish line, his second best result of the season, which allowed him to say goodbye with a smile from his fans, who filled the stands.
“Today I’m happy because I had a good race and it was the best way to say goodbye. I didn’t want to have a bad race and stay behind, so I tried to stay focused, because starting from the back of the grid is always difficult. I felt well with the bike and the tyres, in the dry my potential could be better. I was able to have a bit of a battle and some overtaking, so in the end I finished in the top 10”, Il Dottore summed up.
For this very special occasion, Rossi wore a new helmet design that paid tribute to those fans who have accompanied him for more than two decades on circuits around the world. In addition, the Sky VR46 team changed its decoration and dyed the track a little more yellow if possible.
“This day is unforgettable, because it was the last one in Misano , with our team’s yellow bikes with the words “Thank you Vale” written on them, with all my friends wearing yellow jerseys. It was a nice surprise, I didn’t know. lap of honor i stopped under my fans grandstand and threw my helmet at them. this is the best way to greet all the fans, because there was a really great atmosphere on the circuit. so many people, a beautiful sunny day: it was really exciting. All these things I will remember”, commented the #46.
The man from Tavullia congratulated the new world champion, Quartararo. At 22 years old, Rossi believes he can mark an era in MotoGP. In addition, after the arrival of Franco Morbidelli to the official team, Yamaha has secured the future.
“Quartararo totally deserved this championship, because he was very strong. He has achieved great results, even on circuits where Yamaha was at a disadvantage, so it is only fair that he is world champion. He has always been strong, without making any mistakes, so he deserves the compliments I think Yamaha with him and Morbidelli next year is one of the strongest Fabio can open a cycle but Franco has also shown he can win so they will push themselves to improve and I think there will be work for Lin Jarvis. Yamaha is always looking for two strong riders and I think they have found them.”
The one who could not extend the fight any longer was Pecco Bagnaia. Rossi unsuccessfully tried to persuade his pupil not to mount the hard front tire in the race. A decision that ended up being wrong.
“For me the hard striker was too dangerous today. I tried to tell Pecco but in the end he put it on. Unfortunately the temperature dropped in the last part of the race and with the hard striker it is like that, it takes very little to go down. It’s A shame because Pecco was the fastest driver today so he could have kept the championship open. It’s a real shame.”
(Click on this link or on the photos to see Valentino Rossi saying goodbye to his fans at the Emilia Romagna GP)
