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Why MotoGP's ageing rock star isn't clinging to the limelight

Valentino Rossi remains a MotoGP superstar and while his skill and motivation cannot be questioned, the long-awaited announcement of his Petronas SRT move has presented a new reality for the nine-time world champion

Before this season got underway, this writer considered Valentino Rossi to be like Deep Purple's Ian Gillan. A legend, no question about that. But a shade of his former glory. Still a star name, but not able to hit that soaring scream in 'Child In Time'.

And there was some justification for that. Rossi went from scoring six podiums in the opening half of the 2018 season on the Yamaha to just two in the same time period last year. And the 2017 Dutch TT still remains his last win.

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