Valentino Rossi pinpoints the biggest change he’s seen in MotoGP since he started his career

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Valentino Rossi retired from MotoGP at the end of 2021 after a premier-class career spanning more than two decades. He’s now reflected on how the sport has changed.

When Rossi made his debut in 2000, the series was still known as the Road Racing World Championship. It didn’t become MotoGP until 2002.

During his rookie season, Rossi battled against riders born in the 1960s, like Jeremy McWilliams. By the time he hung up his two-wheel helmet, he was competing with Gen Z riders such as Iker Lecuona (2000).

Rossi is out on his own on the race starts leaderboard with 375. Aleix Espargaro, who’s second, is more than 100 behind (264).

Valentino Rossi says the MotoGP paddock is now much more ‘professional’

Speaking to the Italian edition of Rolling Stone magazine, Rossi said that today’s MotoGP riders are still ‘lunatics’ like their predecessors.

But they’ve also embraced a more professional lifestyle, which means the paddock empties out much earlier than it used to.

“Motorcycling was always a crazy thing, but there were more mature people,” Rossi said.

“The riders are still a good bunch of lunatics, although now everything has become much more professional, and by 9:30 in the paddock, there’s not a soul around. At least before you could always find someone having a beer.”

Pedro Acosta says MotoGP is missing the rivalries of the Rossi and Marc Marquez era. Their battles would always get fans ‘off the couch’.

While The Doctor is still involved in the sport as the boss of VR46, new owners Liberty Media want Rossi to take on a more active role.

Valentino Rossi misses ‘the James Hunt of motorcycles’

Rossi also spoke fondly about Barry Sheene, likening him to F1 icon James Hunt. London-born racer Sheene won 500cc titles in 1976 and ’77.

Sheene embraced his celebrity status off the track, whereas, based on Rossi’s comments, today’s riders are more focused on their day job.

“He arrived at the races in a Rolls-Royce, he was friends with the Beatles, and he was always surrounded by stunning women,” Rossi said. “He was the James Hunt of motorcycles, but for me, he was better than James Hunt.

“He made history. Barry had a pocket made in his Dainese leathers for cigarettes, so if he crashed, he could have a smoke while waiting to return to the paddock.”

Sheene features in MotoGP’s Hall of Fame, which was established in September. He’s one of six posthumous inductees.