Graziano Rossi, father of Valentino Rossi, spoke to Italian publication Corriere Della Sera about his son's continued participation at the highest level of motorcycle racing, despite the latter turning 40-years-old on Saturday 16th February.
Graziano, who was a Grand Prix rider in the 70s and 80s, is convinced that Valentino still has a few good years left in him yet. In fact, he even declared that Rossi could “race until he is 46”, which would be the fairytale ending to the love story ‘The Doctor’ has with the iconic number 46 that has been imprinted on the front of his bikes throughout his career.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider is heading into yet another season of premier class racing, with this year’s competition looking as fierce as it ever has been. But Graziano reveals that this year, Rossi “arrives very well, because the desire to stay young is within every man.”
Graziano continues, saying “unlike others, he seems to be able to stop the effects of time… Like ten years ago, he is at his best” and “the adrenaline of riding the bike and staying ahead of the others; the satisfaction of going to sleep and saying ‘today I did the best I could’.”
“He did not win last year, but he has the credentials to win again - if he hasn't won, it's because Yamaha has gone the wrong way," continues Graziano.
Read more of what Graziano had to say about Valentino here.