You need a combination of many things to get good results. Experience is one of these, and it can be very useful at the right moment. I don't know if it helps to go faster, but for sure it's an important element that has helped me a lot. Being experienced helps you to make fewer mistakes when you are on track. This is the positive side for being around for so many years!

Valentino Rossi

Categorized in : Years Mistake Track

Riding a race bike is an art - a thing that you do because you feel something inside.

Valentino Rossi

riding race art

The speed is something dangerous but very exciting.

Valentino Rossi

dangerous speed exciting

The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the bike... you have to understand what she wants. I think of a motorcycle as a woman, and I know that sounds silly, but it's true.

Valentino Rossi

good-relationship silly thinking

I try to have a different relationship with the bike. I don't give it a name, but I always speak with it. I don't know if the other riders do the same. This is not only a piece of metal - there is a soul. The bike talks back too. But not with a voice, with the components

Valentino Rossi

voice names giving

To be a great motorbike racer, the most important thing is passion for the bike.

Valentino Rossi

racers passion important

I am still here because I like to prove myself. I still like to ride the bike on track and enjoy the races. I still have good reasons to be in racing after so many years.

Valentino Rossi

track race years

Luck is one thing. It has always been there, it has always been a part of my success. It's a part of everyone's success. Without it, you can't be successful. But luck is something you have to stimulate, something you have to nurture through the choices you make...That's why things have always worked out for me. Things work out not just because I'm lucky, but because I plan ahead. I figure out what I want and I go for it. I've always spent a lot of time trying to surround myself with the right people, the kinds of teammates who could lead me to my goals.

Valentino Rossi

work-out successful people

The great fights with your strongest rivals are always the biggest motivation. When you win easily it's not the same taste.

Valentino Rossi

motivation fighting winning

Giving yourself threads doesn't mean you don't believe in yourself in my opinion.

Valentino Rossi

giving mean believe

Motivation is the key. More than training, more than experience or age, motivation counts. You have to ask yourself: 'Why am I racing?' I race because I like it, because I'm really enjoying it. I like to set up my bike and ride it on track. After 20 years in the GPs I'm still highly motivated. Everything else is a consequence.

Valentino Rossi

gps motivation years

Our sport is dangerous. We risk the life out there, so we need to stay calm and focused and leave all the rest out.

Valentino Rossi

stay-calm risk sports

Maybe the bike is more dangerous, but the passion for the car for me is second to the bike.

Valentino Rossi

dangerous car passion

Friendship is very important to me. With some friends, we've known each other since we were kids and it's a very strong relationship. They always tell me what they think even when I am wrong. It's great to share with them the best moments. I also have many friends in the team, and I like to share my passion with them.

Valentino Rossi

team strong kids

You need to realise that, if you want to go on, you have to work hard. If you dwell too much on your past successes and say "well, I have won nine world titles and more than 100 races", you'd rather stay home. The sport, your rivals, the tyres, your motorcycle, everything changes so instead you need to work more to be stronger. If you don't, you're finished.

Valentino Rossi

hard-work home sports

I think the secret is to understand that you still want to be part of the game. To do so, you have to forget all the victories you've managed to get in the previous years and have a great humility. You also need to realise that, if you want to go on, you have to work hard. If you dwell too much on your past successes and say "well, I have won nine world titles and more than 100 races", you'd rather stay home.

Valentino Rossi

hard-work humility home

I'm Valentino Rossi. And I want to be a person, not an icon.

Valentino Rossi

valentino icons want

I feel 100% a Yamaha rider in my heart. I had a long career and raced with several factory bikes, but the highlight of my career is undoubtedly with Yamaha.

Valentino Rossi

careers heart long

I never race for records. The motivation to try to beat the record is not enough to continue. You have to enjoy it.

Valentino Rossi

motivation race trying

I am focused on racing. I enjoy it. It's a great feeling to be back fighting for the title.

Valentino Rossi

racing fighting feelings

I have always challenged myself and it's also important to learn from the rivals. Every rider has his own style, and you have to count on some elements that cannot be changed. On the contrary, the bike or the tires can change and it's important to adapt yourself. It's up to the rider to understand what he can change and how much he can adapt.

Valentino Rossi

rivals style important