ROSSI SAYS ENDURANCE WOULD LIMIT HIM IN A MOTOGP RACE TODAY

Valentino Rossi believes he could still ride a MotoGP bike at a decent pace, five years after retiring, but says physical endurance would prevent him from competing effectively in a race.

Speaking on Italian radio, the 47-year-old said: “I could go fairly fast, but I wouldn’t be able to compete, especially physically.” He recalled that the demands of the championship became increasingly difficult late in his career. “You need a lot of breath,” Rossi said, explaining that riders work to build stamina while keeping their weight down. “I have to say, I struggled with my breath.”

Rossi retired from MotoGP in 2021 and has since continued racing in GT cars, while occasionally testing motorcycles. At a Dainese test at Misano in August, he reportedly lapped within two seconds of Marco Bezzecchi, although comparisons from different tests are difficult to assess. On a Yamaha R1 Superbike at the same circuit earlier in the summer, Rossi was four seconds off the full-time riders’ pace.

The nine-time world champion remains MotoGP’s leading race winner, with 89 premier-class victories. Marc Marquez, who has 80, is closing in on Rossi’s record of seven premier-class titles. Rossi’s final two seasons ended with 15th- and 18th-place finishes in the standings; his last campaign, with Yamaha’s satellite SRT team, was also his first without a podium.

Asked whether today’s riders are better than those of his era, Rossi said the overall standard has risen as competitors have become more professional. “They prepare better and train more. They’ve become more like athletes,” he said, pointing to the work of his VR46 riders Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli. “They really work their a—— off. They train a lot. The level has risen.”

Rossi also voiced concern about the demands placed on riders by an expanding calendar. After the rescheduled Qatar Grand Prix, the season was set to reach 44 races for a second consecutive year when Sprints are included. An additional Friday qualifying session is planned for next year, adding to questions about rider welfare.

“They are pushing athletes to the limit, physically and mentally, not just in MotoGP, but also in tennis or even in Formula 1,” Rossi said. He added that motorcycle racing carries an extra danger: “They wear them out every weekend, making them do as many races as possible.”

The injury toll has underlined those concerns: 12 of the 22 riders had missed at least one race through injury during the season. Francesco Bagnaia, a graduate of Rossi’s academy, could become the 13th if foot fractures keep him out of the next round in Portugal.