GIACOMO AGOSTINI, the most successful motorcycle racer in history, does not believe that Valentino Rossi will win a tenth MotoGP championship.
Speaking to GPone.com, Agostini said: 'I'm convinced that Valentino Rossi isn't finished as a racer, but I think it will be difficult for him to win the next championship.'
'It has been two years since Valentino won a race, and three since he last won a world title, in 2009. Beyond that, he is also two years older.'
'Age does matter - otherwise I would still be racing!'
Nicknamed 'Ago', Agostini leads the way in all-time victories in Moto GP history, recording an astonishing 122 Grand Prix wins and 15 World Championship titles (across all classes) in the 1960's and 70's. By comparison, Rossi is just one title short of Ago in the premier class and holds the race win record in that division.
With Rossi returning to Yamaha for the 2013 season (where he was previously successful, winning four world championships), will Ago be proved right?
