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Valentino will see the last red lights of his career from the tenth slot on the grid, on the fourth row. For his farewell race Rossi was able to pull a rabbit out of his hat, with the assistance of Bagnaia who offered him a tow. The end (it really is the end, in this case) justifies the means and the Doctor enjoyed the day and the result.
“For me and for the team it was a great Saturday - he said - Since the morning I have found better feelings on the bike, with the set-up and with the tyres. I managed to go directly into Q2 and that changed everything, then FP4 didn't go badly. Finally, in qualifying, I improved my time and finished in the top 10 again, closer to the best Yamaha. It's a really good feeling for me and the whole garage at the last race. Apart from that exciting moment, it is important to be able to have a good race”.
His pupil Bagnaia was a perfect sidekick for the result.
“Pecco helped me and I'm happy - admitted Valentino - We hadn't decided on a real strategy together, but I went out behind him, he saw me and kept pushing. I thank him for that. Then he crashed, but for me qualifying was over anyway, I was only able to give my best on the first lap. Maybe I could have done a little better, but this is my potential”.
So the old lion gave one last roar, not as loud as in the past but still appreciable. Perhaps unexpected after yesterday's start to the weekend.
"In this second half of the season I trained a lot and well, I feel fit, even in Austin it went well and everyone is suffering there - he explained - More than anything else, yesterday we found the asphalt wet and when you have to ride in those conditions on slicks it not only depends on skill, but on how much risk you take, on balls. And when you get older it becomes more difficult”.
Tomorrow he will probably forget his age and it seems that the other riders are preparing a special farewell for him.
"If they do something it will be nice, no matter what because it already makes me happy that my rivals are thinking of me, it is by no means a foregone conclusion - said Rossi - They can do whatever they like, everything is fine with me, then it will be really exciting to return to the garage for the last time and find my team, my friends, the Academy riders”.
One last dance, as everyone has been writing for a few days now. The moment of farewell is approaching, something that Cairoli already faced a few days ago.
"This year a lot of top sportsmen have stopped - underlined Valentino - Tony, but also Raikkonen, who was a great driver in Formula 1, then Federica Pellegrini. Maybe everyone was waiting for me to do it, I gave them the final push - he smiled - Cairoli has always made the difference, I saw him in his last race. It's a sad moment but luckily there are many strong Italian riders in MotoGP”.
The Doctor also had a word for Petrucci.
“He too was an important rider. I'm very curious to see him in the Dakar, there you need balls, it's a very tough event, but Danilo is a wild boar and he will be able to do it” he concluded.
