Want to be remembered as a great rider: Valentino Rossi
Want to be remembered as a great rider: Valentino Rossi

Out of contract at the end of the pandemic ravaged 2020 MotoGP season, there was speculation that seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi would retire after two decades of premier class racing, ending a period which will quite probably be known as the ‘Rossi era’ in the time to come.

But ‘The Doctor’ had other plans.

Come March 28, that famous No.46 bike was lining up with other riders in Qatar to commence his 22nd season in MotoGP, being broadcast on Eurosport in India, much to the glee of millions of fans.

The 42-year-old Italian is enthusiastic as ever about the new season, his new team Petronas Yamaha SRT and racing despite the pandemic, discussing his legacy, love for four-wheel racing and the return of Marc Marquez among other things in a video interview with HT from Rimini, Italy.