Why Rossi hasn’t overstayed his welcome in MotoGP

OPINION: After 22 years in the top flight of grand prix motorbike racing, Valentino Rossi has announced his MotoGP retirement. Having been the championship's main draw for the past two decades, Rossi's declining performances and the birth of his new VR46 team means he hangs up his leathers at the right time

Lewis Duncan Aug 5, 2021, 4:31 PM

Upd: Aug 9, 2021, 6:52 PM

Thursday, 5 August. The day of the beginning of the end of arguably the greatest career in motorsport history.

On the eve of the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix, MotoGP’s first race after its five-week summer break, Dorna Sports announced a last-minute amendment to its Thursday schedule. An exceptional press conference was slotted in for 4:15pm local time – its main attraction, Valentino Rossi.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.