Today, Monday (24/2), Valentino Rossi will have the final preparations ahead of the MotoGP 2020 test at the Losail Circuit, Qatar. A season that could be The Doctor’s last ‘dance’ in MotoGP.
It’s not easy being Rossi. The Doctor continues to get criticized in MotoGP for appearances that continue to decline. Moreover, Rossi won the last time in the primary class of the Grand Prix almost three years ago, June 25, 2017, in the Dutch MotoGP race.
Many people are asking Rossi to be aware. Realize that his golden period is over. Be aware of his 41 years of age. Even a number of riders in MotoGP 2020 deserve to be his son.
I wonder what is in Rossi’s mind until now has not decided to retire. No doubt the nine-time Grand Prix world champion was still able to compete until the 2016 MotoGP. Rossi was three times in a row to become runner-up. Even Rossi almost became the 2015 MotoGP world champion if the controversy at the Malaysian GP did not occur.
But, in the last three seasons Rossi has been unable to fight. Not even able to win. Rossi’s complaint about the Yamaha M1 motorcycle in the last few seasons also makes no sense when he sees Maverick Vinales still able to win and Fabio Quartararo successfully became a phenomenon last season.
Ahead of MotoGP 2020, Rossi also said he began to feel stress. The former Honda and Ducati racer even felt scared thinking about the weekend of the race because of the great expectations on his shoulders.
“Entering the race will be more stressful when you are a Valentino Rossi, it is very painful through Thursday to Sunday. It will feel more beautiful if able to appear fast and stop,” Rossi was quoted as saying from GP One.
However, we would not consider Rossi as one of the greatest riders in MotoGP history if The Doctor immediately surrendered. The decision to postpone the retirement decision indicates that Rossi is still confident in his ability despite 41 years.
Rossi provides evidence. Evidence to fight and try to answer criticism. He not only eagerly entered the MotoGP 2020. Rossi replaced the mechanical head of Silvano Galbusera to David Munoz. Rossi even lowered his ego and willingly ‘trained’ Jorge Lorenzo who became a Yamaha test racer in MotoGP 2020.
Some time ago the MotoGP side uploaded a photo of Rossi seriously hearing input from Lorenzo, who incidentally was one of his rivals. It was Lorenzo the rider who thwarted Rossi’s chances of becoming the 2015 MotoGP world champion. The relationship between the two heats up several times, but this time Rossi was willing to ‘be trained’ by Lorenzo.
In the photo Rossi looks very tired and it’s natural, because driving a motorcycle weighing more than 150 kilograms and dozens of laps in the hot weather Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, is not easy. Moreover, Rossi is not young. But, in the midst of fatigue that Rossi is still trying hard.
That is proof Rossi still wants to fight. Trying to give evidence that Yamaha should still believe it and not in a hurry to make the decision to sign Fabio Quartararo and kick him out.
It is interesting to wait for Rossi’s appearance at the start of the 2020 MotoGP season to mid-season. A period of time that Rossi will use to determine his future in MotoGP.
If Rossi fails to appear competitive until the middle of the 2020 MotoGP season, The Doctor will remain one of the greatest riders in MotoGP history with nine notch world titles. It was Rossi who set the standard of greatness for riders in the MotoGP era, both inside and outside the circuit.
After all, no great motorcycle Grand Prix riders retired at the peak of their careers. Mike Hailwood, Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Mick Doohan, or even the most successful racers in Giacomo Agostini’s history, they all retired when they didn’t become world champions.
But, the names above remain a picture of a great world champion racer. Likewise Rossi should be treated.
So let’s enjoy Rossi’s appearance in MotoGP 2020, whatever the results and decisions that The Doctor will make later. Because maybe this will be the last time we see Rossi ‘dancing’ in the MotoGP arena.
