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In the morning, under a fine and treacherous rain, Valentino Rossi entered the track just to clock in for work. Three laps, without even opening all the throttle, as demonstrated by his top speed: the only rider on the track not to exceed 300 km / h. After all, and this is nothing new, Vale doesn't really like Valencia: he lost the title against Nicky Hayden in 2006, crashing out, and again said goodbye to the hopes of a tenth title in 2015 starting from the rear. It was not unexpected, therefore, to see him floundering around also in FP2, where with a track that was not yet completely dry he was bringing up the rear, but always at the rear of the MotoGP field.
"It was a difficult day because the conditions are very bad already from this morning, with a lot of water and it was very cold. In the afternoon fortunately the conditions were better but not completely dry. It's always difficult at Valencia because the layout of the track and grip level is difficult. But I hope that the weather remains good and the conditions come better because for sure the track can improve”, he said with the light approach that is characterising his last Grands Prix. In this case, the last.
There will be no fireworks, therefore - or there might be, we are betting on a show by Dorna - but on the internet the imagination about what will happen is going crazy: the most popular is an agreement between all the MotoGP riders to allow Valentino to get his 200th podium.
"Unfortunately, it's impossible I think, but if they give me a podium position, I'm very very happy because it can be the 200th, so important. I can pay them or maybe we can make a party together for the podium and I will pay everything! But I think it won't happen! - then he returned to his collection of bikes - I have them all, except the Hondas unfortunately. I see them every day, Welkom's is in my bedroom, sometimes I get on it and brumm with my mouth ”.
It is not true of course, but by now Valentino responds to every wickedness that come from his colleagues, we are all hunting for the headline. So we are not surprised when, when asked about the F1 driver Lando Norris, he confirms that he would like to do a race with him.
"We are in contact with Lando, he has been a fan of mine since the beginning and he raced with my replica helmet at Monza. He has a great talent, next year I'll go to see one of his races in F1 and, of course, racing with him would be a great pleasure ".
In the meantime, however, there is this final Valencia Grand Prix. Today saw the first two free practice sessions, tomorrow the last one and then qualifying. Where will Italy’s top sportsman be able to reach?
“On some tracks, even longer ones, with only eight tenths of a disadvantage, I even found myself 18th. I have to improve and stay in a second. MotoGP now is like this because all the riders are very fast and very prepared for every racetrack. The bikes are all very similar, also the non-factory bikes and I think this is good about MotoGP. Especially for the fans.”.
Over the last 26 years, Vale has answered every possible and imaginable question, but there are some people who still find some new ones, such as: if you were 20 would you be competitive with this Yamaha with Fabio Quartararo?
Rossi widens his eyes, and answers with the patience of Job...
"It's difficult to answer, but I think yes. For sure if I am 20 years younger, I can fight for the victory. I want to say yes."
Then it's time for his best career season.
"From 2001 until 2005," he says without hesitation.
Who would he like to pass the baton of his riders to…
“Difficult to name a single name. We are all together, we play with the Play (Station, ed.), we go to the beach, Migno is as important as Morbidelli or Bagnaia. I'd like to pass my baton to the MotoGP riders: Bagnaia, Morbidelli, my brother Luca and Bezzecchi, I'd like to see all four of them competitive ”.
The young VR46 riders, for their part, are suffering from your early abandonment…
“But I will remain their benchmark, I will come to some races and I will follow the tests giving them my feelings also in 2022. I think it's nice because we are friends. And I'm happy when they have a good race ”.
Our Zoom colleagues don't want to let him: they could have come to Valencia, and watched Valentino’s last show, but now that's the way it is: everyone in front of a computer screen. Let's say that this aspect, perhaps, Valentino will not miss. Maybe when he dreams, if he dreams, he is riding a 500 2-stroke, the one that Honda does not want to give him. But there is still time for some other declaration. On Celestino Vietti, for example.
“Difficult character at times. But in my opinion, he is very fast and very talented. He suffered more than I expected the move to Moto2, but in this end of the season he is redeeming himself, he is always with the best, the end of the season is good, in 2022 he will fight for the victory ”.
We have finally arrived at the goodbyes… for today. Impressions of November.
“My current crew chief, David Munoz? I got along very well with him, he is a new generation crew chief, very technically prepared and has the balls to make the right decisions. Too bad we didn't work with him before, maybe we could have achieved some satisfaction. However in 2022 he will go with my brother Luca and he will certainly be of great help. The team will also include Matteo Flamigni, with Bezzecchi and Idalio Gavira as coach ”.
His conclusion was on a sad note: the death of Giampiero Galeazzi (legendary Italian TV sports commentator, ed.).
“I'm sorry, and it's bad news, his commentary on the Abbagnale’s rowing races was legendary and also those of football. A great character, the imitations they did of him on Radio DJ made me laugh ”.
And down comes the curtain (for today).
