“He made me want to be a MotoGP rider” – Quartararo and Zarco on Rossi's announcement

A few minutes after announcing his retreat, Valentino Rossi left his place on stage to his counterparts in the category for the traditional opening press conference. And among them, fabio quartararo and Johann Zarco who had more than one opportunity to rub shoulders with the Italian.

« It's hard to believe, says Quartararo. He was already a double world champion before I was born. To imagine that he won't race with us next year is a bit sad. He's the one who made me want to be a pilot MotoGP when I was a child. I looked at it and waited for hours in front of the hospital to get a photo. For me, he is a legend of the sport and he had an incredible career. He remains my idol and I have no words to describe him. »

Since 2019, the Nice native has shared the track with Rossi and two moments particularly marked him. “ During my very first free practice session, the first guy in front of me was Valentino, confides the one who succeeded him this year within the official Yamaha team. It's not a bad memory for my first weekend. And last year in Barcelona he was second in front of me. I overtook him at the first corner and immediately thought of his duel with Jorge Lorenzo in 2009, it was a special moment… »

I have no words… Big congratulations for your amazing career! I'll remember all my life the first race I ever watch you in Jerez 2005 and you motivated me to be where I am today. I had the pleasure to be on track with you for 3 years and share my victory in Jerez with you pic.twitter.com/P2G8Mg8UYl

- Fabio Quartararo (@ FabioQ20) August 5

For his part, Johann Zarco would like to thank Rossi for what he has brought to the discipline. “ It will be strange, but thanks to Vale for what he gave, dit-il. He changed the vision of motorcycling until now. When you talk about motorcycles with someone who knows nothing about them, they will tell you about Valentino Rossi. That means something. We have been waiting for this day and it has arrived. It's amazing because it stayed so long. After following him on TV, he became an idol, and now we're running with him. There aren't many athletes who have stayed this long and allowed children to realize their dreams. The way he rides will remain his own, with an approach different from that of the others. »

Zarco entered the premier category two years earlier than his compatriot, in 2017. And already, from the third meeting of the season in Austin, the rookie stood out in the eyes of the nine-time World Champion, but not necessarily in the way he would have wanted. “ I was able to overtake him at the third corner I think and he must have cut the chicane, recalls Zarco. After which he said: “Zarco is too aggressive.” It's a good memory, it's nice to say that your idol says you're too aggressive. We had a fantastic race also at Phillip Island with Marc (Marquez), Valentino, Maverick (Viñales) and a few Ducatis I think. There was some contact, but always very clean. At the end of the race, we were laughing and showing each other the tire marks on our leathers.. "

Zarco is the man on the move, piling the pressure on # VR46…who was forced to run off the track!#AmericasGP pic.twitter.com/Q6rwfVQQSb

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 23, 2017

Nine Grands Prix are still on the 2021 calendar, nine other opportunities for the two French people to build some more memories with the man who has nearly 430 starts...