Last update on.From section MotorsportRossi (right), one of the most famous motorbike racers ever, has achieved only one top-ten finish in this season's seasonValentino Rossi, the nine-time world champion, has announced his retirement at the conclusion of the MotoGP season.The 42-year old Italian spoke out at a press conference prior to the Styrian Grand Prix.Rossi's Grand Prix career spans 25 years and he is the only rider to have won World Championships in 125cc (250cc), 500cc, and MotoGP.Rossi stated, "It's hard to say and know next year that I will not race on a motorcycle."Rossi also confirmed that he would be "concentrating his efforts on his new MotoGP Team, Aramco Racing Team VR46 in 2022."Rossi won his last nine titles in 2009 but has been an iconic MotoGP rider and one of the most famous sportspeople around.He finished second in the championship after his last title win. Marc Marquez won it in 2016 and 2016. Jorge Lorenzo was in 2015.Rossi, who switched from Yamaha's factory team for satellite team Petronas Yamaha SRT in 2021, is currently 19th in riders' standings. This is his worst start to a campaign.He is the only rider who has started more than 400 races in sports history. He has won a total of 112 victories, with 89 in MotoGP.He has been a podium finisher on 235 occasions since his 1996 debut.However, he is currently at 10th in all nine races he has participated in this season.Rossi stated that he had enjoyed a career full of "unforgettable moments".He said, "It was wonderful, I've enjoyed the journey very much, and it was really enjoyable,""It was great that it took 25-26 years to win the World Championship."Next year, I will see a change in my life."
