Valentino Rossi will retire from MotoGP at the end of 2021 #GOAT

After 25 years of racing in MotoGP, Valentino Rossi has finally announced his official retirement at the end of the 2021 championship season. The 42-year-old Italian has had one hell of an amazing career, including winning nine world championship titles.

This announcement came after he called for a special press conference a day before the start of the Styrian GP weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. Regarded by many as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in MotoGP, Rossi will move on to his next chapter in racing - managing his own MotoGP team AND four-wheel racing.

During the press conference, Valentino Rossi stated "I said I would take a decision for next year after the summer break, and I decided to stop at the end of the season. Unfortunately, this will be my last half-season as a MotoGP rider. And it's difficult, it's a very sad moment because it's difficult to say and know that next year I will not race with a motorcycle, I've done that for I think more or less 30 years!"

"Next year, my life will change. But it was great, I've enjoyed it very much, it's been a long, long journey and it was really, really fun. It's 25, 26 years in the World Championship, so it was great. And I had unforgettable moments with all my guys, the guys who work for me, so... I don't have a lot to say! Just this."

For now, Rossi will focus on closing off his two-wheel racing career by trying to obtain better results with the Petronas Yamaha SRT squad. His main focus will be placed on riding the heck out of the Yamaha YZR-M1 before making the shift to managing his Ducati-powered squad, Aramco Racing Team VR46. Ciao, Vale!