Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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FEATURE I VALENTINO ROSSI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT P84 Rossi says his racing days are not entirely over. He will now pursue a career racing on four wheels. nership through the years. "Valentino's achievements were made both on and off the track, and they make up a large and important part of Yamaha's racing heritage. We thank him for his incredible efforts, unequaled skills, and never-failing passion and optimism. We are proud to have been a part of his unique success story. We will forever cherish the precious memories we made together and hope to keep adding to them with him as a Yamaha brand ambassador." Many of Rossi's peers respond- ed to the news. Former teammate Maverick Vinales said, "He was my point of reference when I was a kid. You know when I started to love that passion of motorcycle was, especially when I start to see Valentino with his celebration the way he wins the races, so at the end, as a kid, I grew up I had the opportunity to share the team with him, and for sure to be internally sharing the data, shar- ing comments everything and you know I had the chance to learn, this is the most important. Valentino is more than an icon more than a legend, my idol." "It's sad," Dani Pedrosa said. "It's something you never want to happen and especially when you're on a high level like he has been for so long. Like in my case, it's a sad day but it's some- thing you can't stop… sooner or later it happens for everyone, but in his case, it's more special because of so many good memo- ries with him. Personally, I can only have huge respect because he was here before me, I tried to catch him, we battled for many years, I'd say in our prime, and then I retired, and I see him still going! So huge respect, and I wish him the best in his retirement." "You've been without a doubt one of my greatest rivals," Casey Stoner, tweeted. "My achieve- ments have been all the more vali- dated having raced against you. We've had some tough battles over the years, and I learned a lot from you. I hope you enjoy the next chapter of your life, there is a lot left to enjoy." "I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to race with Vale for this for two years, three," said cur- rent World Champion Joan Mir. "I probably was more nervous than him when he was giving the news [of his retirement]! It's a difficult moment because it looks like this moment never arrives for a rider. "It will be difficult to repeat an- other Valentino Rossi in history." CN