I have so much respect for my opponents; many of them watched the races as little children and were supporting me!
VALENTINO ROSSII have so much respect for my opponents; many of them watched the races as little children and were supporting me!
VALENTINO ROSSII try to have a different relationship with the bike. I don’t give it a name, but I always speak with it. I don’t know if the other riders do the same. This is not only a piece of metal – there is a soul. The bike talks back too. But not with a voice, with the components.
VALENTINO ROSSII am completely focused on being strong, riding fast, and enjoying myself. With the new generation of riders, only the chronometer counts. I need to be faster than them on track.
VALENTINO ROSSIRiding a race bike is an art – a thing that you do because you feel something inside.
VALENTINO ROSSIThe great fights with your strongest rivals are always the biggest motivation. When you win easily it’s not the same taste.
VALENTINO ROSSIYou try to do a technical feature: in front of me I had a strong rider who brakes hard and it’s difficult to pass.
VALENTINO ROSSII never race for records. The motivation to try to beat the record is not enough to continue. You have to enjoy it.
VALENTINO ROSSII race to win. If I am on the bike or in a car it will always be the same.
VALENTINO ROSSIWe have the 2004 M1 here for reference, which is useful. It worked well here last year; we won the race and always did fast lap times so it will be interesting to compare it to the new bike and it will help us to understand which parts have improved.
VALENTINO ROSSII’m Valentino Rossi. And I want to be a person, not an icon.
VALENTINO ROSSIThe speed is something dangerous but very exciting.
VALENTINO ROSSIIt is dangerous and unbelievably fast and entirely different from the kind of track I am used to racing on.
VALENTINO ROSSII am focused on racing. I enjoy it. It’s a great feeling to be back fighting for the title.
VALENTINO ROSSIOnce the races begin it’s more difficult and there is never that much time for testing.
VALENTINO ROSSIIn my opinion we are at the limit now, and 17 races is really too much. With all the testing that we do now, it means we’re always on the bike and it’s quite difficult.
VALENTINO ROSSIHow do Ferrari know what I’m doing next year when I don’t know what I’m doing next week?
VALENTINO ROSSI