My approach to the races hasn’t changed in my 20-year career. If I have the chance to attack and to pass, I do it, trying to get the best possible result.
VALENTINO ROSSIMy approach to the races hasn’t changed in my 20-year career. If I have the chance to attack and to pass, I do it, trying to get the best possible result.
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 ROSSITo be a great motorbike racer, the most important thing is passion for the bike.
VALENTINO ROSSII am able to ride the bike and think clearly about strategy and tyres. I also have positive thinking. I am very constructively critical.
VALENTINO ROSSII have so much respect for my opponents; many of them watched the races as little children and were supporting me!
VALENTINO ROSSIThe speed is something dangerous but very exciting.
VALENTINO ROSSIRiding a race bike is an art – a thing that you do because you feel something inside.
VALENTINO ROSSIThe tragic incident of Luis Salom reminds us that our sport, our passion, is dangerous. We know it but, in a way, we don’t think about it.
VALENTINO ROSSII feel 100% a Yamaha rider in my heart. I had a long career and raced with several factory bikes, but the highlight of my career is undoubtedly with Yamaha.
VALENTINO ROSSIIt is dangerous and unbelievably fast and entirely different from the kind of track I am used to racing on.
VALENTINO ROSSII have designs I like applied to my helmet, motorcycle, riding suits, gloves,and boots. I have a designer friend of mine put the designs on them for me. I think a livery on the helmet is significant in expressing a rider’s personality.
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 ROSSIIn 2002 the Yamaha was at more or less the same level as the Honda, better in some ways, worse in others. But in the winter of last year between 2002 and 2003, Honda made a big step forward and it seemed as if Yamaha couldn’t quite match that improvement.
VALENTINO ROSSIYou look at Moto3, the races are very exciting. Moto2 is fantastic, and then MotoGP is boring.
VALENTINO ROSSITo win the Championship in the first year will be hard. We need time to become competitive and win races.
VALENTINO ROSSII am still here because I like to prove myself. I still like to ride the bike on track and enjoy the races. I still have good reasons to be in racing after so many years.
VALENTINO ROSSI