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Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi176 posts

Valentino Rossi is a professional motorbike racer, born in Urbino, Italy in 1979. He has won the World Championship nine times.

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16 Feb, 1979

Valentino Rossi born in Urbino, Italy

Birth0 Comments

Rossi is born in Urbino, Italy, of Graziano and Stefina Rossi, and is brought up in the nearly city of Tavullia. His father, a former motorcycle racer, teaches him to ride a motorbike. Concerned for his safety, his mother forces his father to buy Rossi a kart, which his father upgrades from 60cc motor to 100cc.

9 Jul, 2000

First 500c win

Wins Sport Event0 Comments

Despite a poor start, Rossi charges through the pack on a wet track to get his first win in the 500cc class, at the British GP at Donington Park, ahead of Kenny Roberts Jr. and Jeremy McWilliams.

MotoGP Classics - 2000 British GP: Rossi's first 500c win

28 Aug, 2015

British GP interview

Video appearance0 Comments

Rossi talks about the British GP at Silverstone.

Silverstone is a great track. Very difficult, very long, but full of history. Last year was not so bad. For sure there will be harder, maybe difficult conditions, maybe cold, maybe rain, so we have to be ready for all aspects.

Rossi & Lorenzo on the British GP

25 Oct, 2015

‘Marquez would prefer Lorenzo to win’

Interview0 Comments

Rossi speaks to the Italian media about his comments on Marc Marquez helping out Jorge Lorenzo.

In the race I noticed it, but I did not understand; Marquez was a step above everyone, but instead of trying to try to battle Lorenzo, he stayed with me to fight with Iannone and others. He knew that I was losing out to the Ducati on the straight. And so every time I tried to pass him, he re-overtook me (super-aggressive, but thats the way it is). But then he slowed to create a gap to Jorge. His bad luck was that on Sunday Jorge was not so strong, because otherwise it would have been over already. Instead, he always kept Jorge in check, knowing that he could catch him within 3 laps, and then tried to slow me and Iannone, perhaps trying to put other riders between me and Lorenzo. And in the end, that’s what he did. It is clearly quite worrying, but it doesn’t worry me too much. [He did this ] because he would prefer Lorenzo to win. He is angry at me for a personal matter. Although he never said it, he thinks that in Argentina I made him crash; and then at Assen he is still thinking about the last chicane, in his head he feels he should have won that race. Since then he has been angry and thinking like a child: I do not win, but you do not win either. At this point, the lesser evil is for him is for Lorenzo to win.

Marquez, Rossi clash

Crash1 Comments

After being overtaken by Marquez in the 13th lap of the Sepang GP, Rossi runs Marquez wide and when Marquez’s Honda gets too close, Rossi pushes his leg against the bike. Marquez falls off his bike and is forced to retire. Rossi continues and finishes in third place. The race is won by Jorge Lorenzo. Marquez:

We were having a good race up until the incident – we started a fight between us and I always passed without making contact with him. At Turn 14 he passed me on the inside and I saw him looking at me. I didn’t know what to do. Then he kicked out at me, knocking my brake lever, and I crashed. Both what Valentino said to race direction and what he did on the track has made me disappointed. I’ve never seen anything like it: a rider kicking another rider.

Three point penalty

Penalty1 Comments

Following a post-race investigation, Rossi is given three penalty points and will start the final race of the season from the back of the grid after kicking Marquez off his bike during the Malaysian Grand Prix. MotoGP race director Webb:

It’s irresponsible riding causing a crash and for that we have imposed three penalties points on Rossi.

Rossi now leads Lorenzo by just seven points in the championship. Rossi:

Unfortunately, I lose a lot of time with Marc. And in turn 14, I tried to go a bit wide to take a better line and make him slow. He came to me and I think he crashed in that moment. His handlebar touched my foot and my foot slipped off, a bike can’t crash only with a touch. He has won his fight, he made me lose the championship.

Yamaha have said they will appeal against the sanction.

26 Oct, 2015

Explains appeal

Makes Statement0 Comments

Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Jarvis explains Rossi’s appeal.

Our job as a team is to protect the interests of our riders, so while we cannot deny that Valentino’s move is not the sort of move that we want to see in MotoGP, at the same time we feel the penalty is quite harsh, especially when Valentino is not normally a dirty rider. He’s not a rider that creates issues or problems for other people. As a team, we appealed to the FIM and the first decision of the race control. They heard him, also consulted race direction, consulted Marc Marquez and Honda, and finally after a period of 45 minutes we have the results of the appeal, which was rejected. The original penalty of three points against Valentino stands, and in the process of appealing, if the FIM steward rejects your appeal and agrees with the original decision, it is no longer appealable – it becomes final. It’s case closed. That means now that Valentino Rossi will go to Valencia with this penalty.

If anything, knowing him [Rossi], this will probably make him more motivated to come back and to try to do another memorable season like this. And the championship isn’t over – you have to keep that in mind. He has a seven-point lead, and while he’s at a massive disadvantage starting from the back, in racing anything can happen. You never know if he can salvage something. Anything can happen.

Comments on penalty

Makes Statement1 Comments

Rossi comments on his penalty to the Italian media.

The sanction is almost definitive: to start last in Valencia equals not having any chance of making it. This way the championship is distorted. I gave everything to win this title. Losing it on track is one thing, this way hurts a lot more. Should it help, Marquez would let Lorenzo through on the last lap [at Valencia].

He also says he may not race at Valencia, but that comment is played down by Yamaha.

27 Oct, 2015

Over 380,000 fans sign petition

Petition8 Comments

A petition (link) to try and force MotoGP officials to drop Rossi’s penalty gets over 380,000 signatures. The petition, started by Nicholas Davis, of Virginia Water in the UK, says:

The integrity of MotoGP is falling into disgrace. You have just condoned dirty racing tactics by punishing Valentino Rossi for pursuing the championship whilst being harassed and sabotaged by Marc Marquez. Justifying your decision by stating that there is no rule to deal with the actions of Marc Marquez is as absurd as saying there is no rule to prevent riders shooting at other riders with guns.

Will race in Valencia

Makes Statement1 Comments

Rossi tweets that he will race in Valencia.

Reading all your messages has allowed me to overcome my bitterness and anger and today, we’ll be starting work on Valencia! Thanks for all your support.

28 Oct, 2015

Robot biker challenges Rossi

Product Release0 Comments

Yamaha releases MOTOBOT, an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot. The robot has a rigid torso and legs, and arms jointed at the shoulders and wrists but not elbows. The robot rides a 1,000cc R1M superbike, modified with outrigger-mounted wheels. Yamaha wants develop the robot to ride an unmodified motorcycle on a racetrack at more than 200 km/h. In the video, MOTOBOT challenges Rossi.

The way you ride is both beautiful and exciting. I am improving my skills every day but I am not sure I could even beat the five-year-old you. Perhaps if I learn everything about you, I will be able to catch up. I am not human, but there has to be something only I am capable of. I am MOTOBOT. I was created to surpass you.

YMVSV's MotoBot challenges Valentino Rossi, "The Doctor" – Full Clip

30 Oct, 2015

Appeals to court after penalty

Appeal3 Comments

Rossi appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after he was demoted to the back of the grid in the Valencia GP on Nov 8. He asks for an annulment or reduction of the penalty from three points to one. Rossi also files an application to stay the execution of the decision in order not to lose his place on the starting grid at the Valencia. The court will decide by Nov 6.

2 Nov, 2015

Honda: Data shows Rossi Kicked Marquez

Makes Statement1 Comments

Nakamoto says that, while video evidence is inconclusive, data from Marquez bike shows that Rossi kicked Marquez.

First of all, we would like to state that we believe it is very important to speak about the facts, not about assumptions. A fact is a fact and there is only one interpretation…It is clear that Valentino intentionally pushed Marc towards the outside of the track, which is out of the rules, therefore Marc had no other option other than to run wide. The data from Marc’s bike shows that even though he was picking up the bike trying to avoid contact with Valentino, his front brake lever suddenly received an impact that locked the front tyre, which is the reason for his crash. We believe that this pressure was a result of Rossi’s kick. The data acquisition from Marc’s bike is available if anybody from Dorna, the FIM or media want to check.

I know Marc well. He is a good guy, with strong and honest values. Marc was just trying to defend his position, as any rider would do, and we believe him 100%.

We respect the decision of Race Direction and don’t want to pass judgement if the penalty they administered was right or wrong. However, we do believe there was enough evidence to allow them to take a decision during the race, it was not necessary to wait until the end.

3 Nov, 2015

Marquez: ‘I have never felt like this’

Makes Statement1 Comments

Marquez says he has never experienced anything like his recent troubles with Rossi.

During my career I have had many battles, but I never have I felt this. On that corner Valentino passed me, but then I saw he was completely straight and looking at me and stopping a lot. I was just waiting because there was nothing to do at that point and then I saw with his leg he pushed my arm and my front brake, and then I locked the front wheel and crashed.

In response to the accusation of deliberately interfering in the title battle in recent races:

You know I don’t want to be involved more in the championship. Valentino surprised everybody [with his comments], but I didn’t consider that because I just did my weekend [at Phillip Island]. Of course we can fight, we can overtake, we can have small contact, but in [Malaysia] until that moment we never had contact. I don’t know how inside the helmet you can think to push out another rider with your leg. I’ve never seen that. OK, I am very young, but I am disappointed.

Yamaha: Rossi did not kick Marquez

Makes Statement0 Comments

Yamaha issues a statement refuting claims made by Honda that Rossi kicked Marquez.

Yamaha would like to express its disagreement with the words that have been used to report on the incident between riders Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. Both press releases included words that accuse Valentino Rossi of kicking Marc Marquez‘s bike that is something not proven by the investigation of the Race Direction.We therefore reject the wording used in the said published statements that do not correspond with the findings of the Race Direction. Yamaha has no wish to enter into further discussion regarding this unfortunate affair and our desire is to conclude the 2015 MotoGP season in the best possible way. We go to Valencia with the clear intention of trying our best to win what we hope will be a memorable final race with all riders and teams competing in an exemplary sportsmanlike manner befitting the top category of motorcycle racing.

5 Nov, 2015

Must start from back of grid

Judgement0 Comments

Rossi will start the final MotoGP race of the season in Valencia from the back of the grid after his penalty is confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). FIM confirms the ruling, but says that the denied request was for the stay of execution, and that there is the possibility that the penalty could be revoked later, but only after it has been served. CAS:

[The arbitration board] found that the conditions to grant the stay were not met, which means that the sanction imposed by FIM, the sport’s ruling body, will have to be served at the next grand prix in Valencia.

Rossi:

When you start last, it’s very difficult to prepare strategies. You have to work well in practice and be competitive and have good pace. For sure when you start last, the risks are a lot more. [The title] depends on me and if I’m strong and fast enough to be able to recover. The answer of the CAS has not arrived yet, today it was just that I have to start last in this race because they need time to decide. We have to wait and see, but the important thing is I have to start last.

6 Nov, 2015

Relaxed, happy with practice

Makes Statement1 Comments

After coming fifth in FP1 and fourth in FP2, Rossi says he is relaxed about Valencia practice.

I’m not working any differently; we did something very similar to what we always do. I’m very relaxed and I’m quite happy with today’s two practice sessions because my pace in the morning wasn’t bad and I was pretty competitive with the used tyres. I’m also pleased that in the afternoon we tried something different that allowed me to up the pace and improve my lap times. I used the hard tyres, which wasn’t so bad, and after I tried the soft to make a comparison and make the right choice for Sunday. If we do a good job with the set-up that could make things less difficult, but Valencia is a tough track for making up ground because it’s pretty narrow. On top of that, we’re not especially quick on the straights, our top speed isn’t that high, so we have to work hard in other areas, like the braking, to get the set-up right…The start is vital in MotoGP. It accounts for, say, 80% of the race, but Sunday will be a bit different for me, because I’ll have traffic ahead of me and I’ll have to have the energy and momentum to keep up the pace from beginning to end.

8 Nov, 2015

Valencia GP: 4th place

2 Comments

Despite starting from the back of the grid, Rossi takes 4th place in Valencia. Jorge Lorenzo finishes first, in front of Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, denying Rossi the 2015 MotoGP World Championship.

Rossi claims Spanish ‘stitch up’

Accusation0 Comments

Rossi says he was denied his win by a Spanish ‘stitch-up’’. Rossi say Lorenzo is a deserving champion but he could not understand why Honda should want to see a Yamaha rider win. He accuses Márquez of being a ‘biscottone’ – an expression used in football when two teams play out a mutually beneficial draw to the detriment of another – but said he expected no less.

I did what I could but it was a strange situation having Márquez as the bodyguard of Lorenzo. It is embarrassing for the sport. Hopefully the sport’s authorities will be able to sort it out. It is an ugly end to what has been an attractive championship. It has not been a true championship and this should not happen in sport.

Márquez responds that it is ‘a lack of respect’ to suggest he had not tried to win:

I always give everything and I know there will be people that will say that I have been second because I wanted Lorenzo to win.

Lorenzo, however, says that the Spaniards may have helped each other:

The fact that they knew what I was going for and that they are Spanish has helped me and in another race they may have tried everything to overtake. Dani did well because he could have tried a crazy overtake. We are Spanish and the title remains in Spain. If it had been in Italy and with two Italians behind Rossi then it would have been the same.

10 Nov, 2015

Valencia Test Day 1

Makes Statement0 Comments

Rossi tests out the 2016 Yamaha M1 with new electronics and Michelin tires at Valencia. His best time of 1’32.401 puts him in twelfth place.

It‘s a big change and it will be interesting, especially the tyre will make a big difference for next year. A lot changed, especially the setting, the weight distribution of the bike and everything. It looks like our competitors are a little ahead, because they‘ve made more kilometres with the Michelin, but it‘s just the first day. I also tried the new electronics and also that, as I expected, was quite a big step because it‘s like going a little bit into the past. However, that too could be interesting and it‘s only the first day, we have a lot to work on. The rear tyre is very similar and Michelin is good, it has very good grip. The front is the big difference.