AS the 2021 MotoGP season drew to a close at the weekend, its biggest and brightest star was recognised as a legend, as Valentino Rossi was inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame.
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Already a legend in the eyes of many fans and competitors, Rossi’s final season of racing at the highest level came to an end at the weekend, with the Italian finishing 10th in the Valencian Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.
After the race, an emotional lap of honour took place, with Rossi later being presented with a special MotoGP Legend trophy on stage. The trophy was in celebration of the Italian legend competing in 26 seasons racing in the Grand Prix World Championship, amassing nine world titles, 115 wins, and 235 podiums.
Valentino Rossi now sits among the greats of MotoGP
Valentino Rossi now sits among the greats of the Grand Prix racing fraternity, including Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Anton Mang, Angel Nieto, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Carlo Ubbiali, Alex Crivillé, Franco Uncini, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Kork Ballington, Dani Pedrosa, Stefan Dörflinger, Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez and the late, great Nicky Hayden.
Speaking of the news Valentino Rossi, said:
"I always think of this day like a nightmare, because it’s the end of a long career and I think it would be in Valencia but in the end I enjoyed it a lot so I have to thank everyone, everyone who has worked with me, the whole paddock, the other riders… it was an unforgettable day and I enjoyed it. It was a long career, and always a pleasure."
