Valentino Rossi Reflects on Life After MotoGP: From Racing Legend to Fatherhood and Team Leadership

Valentino Rossi reveals the transformations in his life post-MotoGP

"Your perspective begins to shift on certain matters…"

Nearly three years after retiring from MotoGP, nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi admits his life has seen some adjustments since he withdrew from premier motorcycle racing, even as he continues to stay connected to the racing world.

From 1996 to 2021, Rossi competed in Grand Prix races, amassing an impressive record over his 26-year career with 115 victories, 235 podium finishes, and nine world championships. By the close of 2021, he transitioned to auto racing, concluding that he could no longer compete at the top level for wins and podiums in MotoGP.

Over the past three years, Rossi has secured victories in two GT World Challenge Europe series races, earned a position as a factory BMW GT3 racer, achieved a podium finish in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and held the leading position in the LMGT3 class at Le Mans.

Simultaneously, Valentino Rossi's VR46 Riders Academy has celebrated its initial two MotoGP championships thanks to Francesco Bagnaia, while the VR46 Racing Team has secured three top-tier Grand Prix victories through Marco Bezzecchi, alongside a MotoGP Sprint win, also attributed to Bezzecchi. Recently, it has been announced as Ducati's official satellite team in MotoGP starting from 2025, with Fabio Di Giannantonio poised to compete on a factory-spec Desmosedici GP25 motorcycle for the team.

Two years ago, he embraced fatherhood for the first time, and now, he and his partner Francesca are anticipating the arrival of their second child.

Despite Rossi's continued engagement in the racing world, the 45-year-old Italian emphasizes that his life has undergone significant changes from the time he competed at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.

"Rossi mentioned to TNT Sports that his mindset shifted somewhat after he retired from MotoGP."

"The stress diminishes, and your perspective on certain matters begins to shift from when you were a competitor."

"As a rider, you find yourself deeply absorbed in a form of 'bubble', which leads to a lesser understanding of everything else due to the intense focus on racing.

"Life is inherently about that pursuit. Certainly, there are other tasks at hand, but your constant focus is on navigating the intricacies of the system to enhance speed and efficiency in all aspects."

Since stepping down from MotoGP in November 2021, Rossi has now spent a significant period away from his GP racing days.

"Now, I feel more at ease," he mentioned, "however, aside from that, life remains largely unchanged: There's a plethora to tackle, given our commitment to the team and the academy, aiming to provide the best support to all our riders."

Rossi mentions feeling calmer and highlights that the significant difference from 2021 is an increase in his workload.

"Now, my workload has increased. Back when I was a cyclist, I had fewer responsibilities. Currently, I find myself spending more hours in the office, juggling numerous tasks."

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