First Interview with Rossi after Mugello

The full text of the interview is here: http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/slider/932-rossi.html



Excerpts:

Do you remember the accident?

"I remember everything perfectly. I didn't hit my head, I didn't hit anything else. The airbag in my leathers worked very well and my helmet was just slightly scratched. I don't have a single bruise! The problem was that I landed on my leg, and it was stuck under my body. If I had landed on my back it would have been different. I had a new tyre and I'd done two laps, then I slowed down because I had Barbera behind me. When I came back onto the racing line Pedrosa arrived and I didn't want to cause a problem for him so I moved again but then when I reopened the gas, it happened suddenly and unexpectedly. Seven seconds were enough to make the tyre drop temperature dramatically. The error was mine."



At any time since the accident has there been a moment when you have said "stop racing motorcycles"?

"Sincerely, I haven't felt any fear. I was a bit horrified when I saw the leg, yes...but the thing I dislike the most is to miss so many races! I will take all the time I need and be sure not to do anything stupid because I want to return quickly, but only if my condition allows it. I know I have a bike for next year and I don't need to rush my return to demonstrate anything. I could miss just four races but I still wouldn't come back to win the championship. It's better to be careful, finish the rehabilitation in the best way and come back to race for many more years. I've heard of many other sportsmen, a lot in fact, who have had the same problem as me. One example for everyone: Mark Webber called me and he has had an exposed fracture of the right leg. He told me to be very patient and that I would have some moments of discomfort, but that in the end recovery was guaranteed."

Respect to Mark Webber, he didn't have to do that.

He says in the interview he wants to take time to read a lot of books and improve his English. Having read that I had a funny thought. What if he really worked on it and come next season - he was as eloquent as Arrabiata? Totally surreal.

Keshav said:

He says in the interview he wants to take time to read a lot of books and improve his English. Having read that I had a funny thought. What if he really worked on it and come next season - he was as eloquent as Arrabiata? Totally surreal.

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That made me think he really plans to stay out for a long time!

Keshav said:

He says in the interview he wants to take time to read a lot of books and improve his English.

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I think he's noticed Jorge getting one over on him in this area and he needs to react.

Tom said:

I think he's noticed Jorge getting one over on him in this area and he needs to react.

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Keshav said:

He says in the interview he wants to take time to read a lot of books and improve his English. Having read that I had a funny thought. What if he really worked on it and come next season - he was as eloquent as Arrabiata? Totally surreal.

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I was thinking the same thing. What if he comes back and he speaks perfect Queen's English like Sir Anthony Hopkins. Maybe Jackie Stewart could teach him English and then we'd have another weird Dario Franchetti situation on our hands.



Anywho, I said this on the other thread, but if Rossi has suddenly dedicated himself to learning English, he's either moving to the US or he's planning to go to F1.

mylexicon said:

I was thinking the same thing. What if he comes back and he speaks perfect Queen's English like Sir Anthony Hopkins. Maybe Jackie Stewart could teach him English and then we'd have another weird Dario Franchetti situation on our hands.



Anywho, I said this on the other thread, but if Rossi has suddenly dedicated himself to learning English, he's either moving to the US or he's planning to go to F1.

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I also thought so, but in the same interview he says he is certain to have a bike next year, and does not mention F1 at all... That line about the bike is in need for interpretation

J4rn0 said:

I also thought so, but in the same interview he says he is certain to have a bike next year, and does not mention F1 at all... That line about the bike is in need for interpretation

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I don't think he was ever planning to leave at the end of 2010. He and Luca de Montezemolo are constantly campaigning for a 3rd Ferrari. I'm sure the purpose is to get Italy involved in the sport the same way Schumacher has brought the Germans back to F1.



I read that F1 viewership has dropped 30% in Italy. Apparently, that is the driving motivation, but they have to convince the powers that be that a 3rd Ferrari for Rossi is a good idea. Nastro Azzurro Ferrari?

mylexicon said:

I don't think he was ever planning to leave at the end of 2010. He and Luca de Montezemolo are constantly campaigning for a 3rd Ferrari. I'm sure the purpose is to get Italy involved in the sport the same way Schumacher has brought the Germans back to F1.



I read that F1 viewership has dropped 30% in Italy. Apparently, that is the driving motivation, but they have to convince the powers that be that a 3rd Ferrari for Rossi is a good idea. Nastro Azzurro Ferrari?

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Seems he wanted every quick lap to count and really get one over jl at mugello.

mylexicon said:

Anywho, I said this on the other thread, but if Rossi has suddenly dedicated himself to learning English, he's either moving to the US

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Thinking was the same here .... only I was thinking he'd move to Aus.



ie. he has allways had the right temperament for Aussies, he has worked with them for years, and he has relo's here.



I was wondering if it was the first indication that retirement is a possibility.

Valentino Rossi says he will continue in MotoGP in 2011 when he has recovered from his broken leg, but has not said which team he will be riding for.



Rossi, 31, who faces months out after crashing in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, is in the final year of his contract with the Fiat Yamaha team.



"The incident will not influence my choices for next year in any way," said the seven-time MotoGP world champion.



"Last Saturday has changed nothing, I know I have a bike for next year."



Rossi is under contract with Yamaha until the end of the 2010 season, and in November 2009 told BBC Sport: "I am not 100% sure if I will stay with Yamaha - it depends on what happens next year.



606: DEBATE

Your thoughts on Valentino Rossi



"I could change bike, ride for Ducati and try to win the world championship with an Italian bike. That would be a great motivation."



BBC

Pigeon said:

.......................



606: DEBATE

Your thoughts on Valentino Rossi



"I could change bike, ride for Ducati and try to win the world championship with an Italian bike. That would be a great motivation."



BBC

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The old idea of Rossi in Ducati gained somehow strength after his crash.



In the after-race TV interviews, Filippo Preziosi was asked point-blank if Ducati would be willing (in case) to take Burgess and crew along with Valentino Rossi. Preziosi answered: "Burgess is a great engineer and in order to have him with us, we would even be ready to sign Valentino Rossi." And then he laughed. This Preziosi is a delightful character.



On another note, during other interviews involving Capirossi, Pernat and Preziosi it appeared clear that the deal between Capirossi and Pramac is done, even if not yet officially confirmed. Capirossi in Ducati would be a valuable asset for Rossi, as Colin has always been in Yamaha.



I've previously been skeptic on this possibility, but now who knows.... The prospect of challenging a "world champion" Lorenzo in 2011 from inside a Yamaha camp that by then would be practically governed by Jarvis-Forcada-Lorenzo, doesn't look so probable anymore for Rossi -- does it.

BarryMachine said:

Thinking was the same here .... only I was thinking he'd move to Aus.



ie. he has allways had the right temperament for Aussies, he has worked with them for years, and he has relo's here.



I was wondering if it was the first indication that retirement is a possibility.

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I cant't see him retiring with lorenzo as world champion, unless there are problems long-term with his leg , which I don't think will be the case.

michaelm said:

I cant't see him retiring with lorenzo as world champion, unless there are problems long-term with his leg , which I don't think will be the case.

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I did't mean he would retire this or next, or even the next year ..... but, just that it may tell something of his post retirement plans .... whenever they happen.

It's always said that Rossi very clearly explains to his engineers what his needs are in terms of set up and development of the bike. I thought this interview is interesting because it's a microcosm of how he thinks.

He clearly lays out each step of the healing process and outlines the alternatives if setbacks occur. I wouldn't expect such a concise assessment of the healing and rehab process from a rider. It sounded like a statement out of the mouth of a doctor or an engineer. He sees through the situation and understands what it will take to work his way through it, much like an engineer would do.