Rossi not driven by record incentive
Added on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Rossi: 22 short of the record
Valentino Rossi was quick to play down comparisons with Grand Prix legend Giacomo Agostini after Saturday’s landmark 100th victory in Assen and stressed the his future plans will not be driven by a desire to break his compatriot’s all-time record.
Rossi became only the second rider in history to take 100 MotoGP victories with Saturday’s win in Assen although the Yamaha rider still remains 22 short of Agostini’s all-time record achieved between 1964 and his final race win in Germany 1976.
Comparisons have been made between the pair but Rossi has dismissed any notion of anyone but Agostini being regarded as the world’s greatest.
“It’s very difficult to compare,” said Rossi. “First, Agostini has 22 more [victories], that’s a lot of races. For sure Agostini did two classes, but at the same time the races in one season were less than now. So I think it’s more or less the same amount of races.
“Unfortunately I never saw Giacomo race, just on the old tapes. I think it’s impossible to compare, but anyway he has 22 more wins so he is the greatest.”
Rossi has also dismissed suggestions that his future in MotoGP will be influenced by the prospect of breaking the record. With his contract with Yamaha due to expire in 2010, the Italian is set to make a decision in the next 12 months over his immediate future although he did hint at an extended stay in the sport.
“I have good motivation now, and I feel good and I feel fast on the bike,” he added.
“I don’t know if I will reach Giacomo’s record, because it’s 22 more [wins]. But I have a contract for next year, so for sure in 2010 I will ride for Yamaha in MotoGP. And during next season, I think I will decide.”
He added that at present he was inclined to stay on in MotoGP for several more seasons.
“If I had to decide now, I would continue, because I think it’s possible to do another three or four years, but you never know,” said Rossi.
