Photo: Yamaha
We might get to see Valentino Rossi in MotoGP after 2016 if all goes well, and these words come from the nine-time world champion himself.
Ahead of his 37th anniversary (February 17), Sky Sport MotoGP HD prepared a special day dedicated to Rossi and interviewed both him and some of his close friends and relatives. Obviously, with each passing year, the questions regarding how long Rossi plans to keep racing in the premier class become more and more crucial, as it's no secret that his MotoGP career is slowly drawing to an end.
Rossi says that even though his current contract with Yamaha will only expire at Valencia, after the last round of the 2016 season, both him and Yamaha will be looking forward to sorting things out as soon as possible.
Nothing has changed since 2014, Rossi adds. He says that his decision to go for another two-season stint in MotoGP would be influenced by the feeling he gets in the first 4 to 6 races.
The same thing happened back in the day, after Rossi returned to Yamaha, and the fans' expectations were very high. The rider of Tavullia said that he would change his plans according to how the first races played out.
The former say that, even though Rossi was allowed to qualify and take the start from one of the front rows, Lorenzo proved to be too fast to catch. The latter claim that Rossi could have stood much better chances for the title, as he recovered brilliantly even after starting last on the grid.
The debate will carry on in 2016, as the hatchet is buried only on a declarative level, and the rivalry will be taken to the track even more fiercely.
Speaking about how both him and Lorenzo say they want to end their careers still wearing Yamaha liveries, Rossi makes a little joke. He says that the public would do better to believe him (rather than Lorenzo) when it comes to ending his career while still a Yamaha rider.
Rossi concludes that if the early season races are good and Yamaha agrees to sign a new two-year contract, he might as well remain for two more years in MotoGP.
Rossi says that even though his current contract with Yamaha will only expire at Valencia, after the last round of the 2016 season, both him and Yamaha will be looking forward to sorting things out as soon as possible.
Nothing has changed since 2014, Rossi adds. He says that his decision to go for another two-season stint in MotoGP would be influenced by the feeling he gets in the first 4 to 6 races.
The same thing happened back in the day, after Rossi returned to Yamaha, and the fans' expectations were very high. The rider of Tavullia said that he would change his plans according to how the first races played out.
Rossi is still hunting for his tenth world title
In 2015, Rossi was the runner-up, but the end of the season was a weird one because of the Sepang incident and the penalties that caused a back row start in Valencia for him. This final race is still disputed between the fans of Lorenzo and Rossi.The former say that, even though Rossi was allowed to qualify and take the start from one of the front rows, Lorenzo proved to be too fast to catch. The latter claim that Rossi could have stood much better chances for the title, as he recovered brilliantly even after starting last on the grid.
The debate will carry on in 2016, as the hatchet is buried only on a declarative level, and the rivalry will be taken to the track even more fiercely.
Speaking about how both him and Lorenzo say they want to end their careers still wearing Yamaha liveries, Rossi makes a little joke. He says that the public would do better to believe him (rather than Lorenzo) when it comes to ending his career while still a Yamaha rider.
Rossi concludes that if the early season races are good and Yamaha agrees to sign a new two-year contract, he might as well remain for two more years in MotoGP.
Google News