Valentino Rossi announces decision to retire at end of MotoGP season after winning nine world titles

Updated 05/08/2021 at 14:58 GMT

Valentino Rossi is set to call time on his incredible career at the end of the season. The 42-year-old announced at a press conference that he will be retiring after the 2021 MotoGP season. Rossi, who rides for Petronas Yamaha SRT, is a nine-time world champion and his final race will be in Valencia on November 14.

Valentino Rossi

Image credit: Getty Images

Legendary MotoGP racer Valentino Rossi will retire at the end of the season.

The nine-time world champion announced his decision at a press conference at the Styrian Grand Prix in Austria. Rossi’s final race is expected to be in Valencia on November 14.

The 42-year-old is widely considered to be one of the greatest riders of all time and has enjoyed an illustrious 25-year career in MotoGP.

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"I said I would take a decision for next year after the summer break, and I decided to stop at the end of the season," said the Italian about his decision to retire.

"Unfortunately this will be my last half season as a MotoGP rider. And it's difficult, it's a very sad moment because it's difficult to say and know that next year I will not race with a motorcycle, I've done that for I think more or less 30 years!

"Next year, my life will change. But it was great, I've enjoyed it very much, it's been a long, long journey and it was really, really fun. It's 25, 26 years in the World Championship, so it was great. And I had a unforgettable moments with all my guys, the guys who work for me, so... I don't have a lot to say! Just this.”

Rossi has won 115 Grands Prix and has been on the podium 235 times since he first started racing in 1996.