After making a record 372nd and final premier-class race start at Valencia 2021, Valentino Rossi retired from grand prix.
Despite many of his former rivals – including fellow ‘aliens’ Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa – turning to test riding after their full-time careers, Rossi hasn’t been on a MotoGP bike since.
During a special Hall of Fame dinner last season, a video of which has now been released by MotoGP.com, Rossi was asked by Pedrosa when he will ride a MotoGP bike again.
“Never,” replied Valentino Rossi.
“A lot of people ask me about it, if I want to test a MotoGP bike.
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“But if you’re not racing, you’re not forced to do it.
“I’m not missing it, honestly. I don’t want to ride one.”
That’s not to say Rossi doesn’t enjoy motorcycles anymore.
The nine-time world champion, who switched to sportscar racing after MotoGP, explained that he’s happy riding other kinds of bikes with the VR46 Academy.
“I usually ride with a Yamaha R1, sometimes a Yamaha R6. We also ride with small bikes, like the Ohvale,
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“I train with the guys, with Pecco, my brother [Luca Marini], Bezzecchi, Franco [Morbidelli]…”
Former team-mate and title rival Lorenzo, now a rider coach for Maverick Vinales, then asked Rossi – who also owns the VR46 MotoGP team – about the kind of advice he gives.
“I go and watch them on track, see what kind of things they are doing, if it’s better or worse than the others,” said Rossi.
“I also help them with how to manage a weekend, how to fight in the battles.”
And who’s the strongest? Lorenzo asked.
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“At the moment [September 2025], the most in-form guy is Bezzecchi,” replied Rossi.
Bezzecchi went on to finish third in the world championship for Aprilia, with three grand prix victories.
The Italian then won the 2026 Thai season opener from pole position, making amends for falling from the early lead in the Sprint.
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