Valentino Rossi: When MotoGP superstar will quit and why - EXCLUSIVE

The new campaign kicks off in Qatar on Sunday and ex-Ducati ace turned BT Sport pundit Neil Hodgson reckons this might be the last time fans see Rossi competitively.

The Italian has had a hugely decorated career but is now 39-years-old.

Yamaha have also struggled with the new M1 bike during testing.

And Hodgson thinks Rossi will be tempted to call it quits if he’s not competitive this term.

“It depends how good his bike is and from pre-season testing it doesn’t look great,” he told Starsport.

“Thankfully it’s not as bad as F1 where a bad car means you can’t battle for the championship.

“Bikes aren’t like that but I think he’ll continue for as long as his bike’s competitive and he can win races.

“Thankfully it’s not as bad as F1”
Neil Hodgson

“It looks like he’ll race at least another year, but after that I don’t know.”

Rossi has managed to stay relatively injury free during his lengthy association with Yamaha.

However, his title charge last year was derailed by a freak leg break in a motocross accident.

Hodgson thinks another serious injury could affect Rossi’s outlook.

He added “Usually it’s a combination of injuries - which is common in our sport - and then what happens with injuries is you get to a point when you’re in your late 30s and think: ‘I’ve actually done alright for myself and the glass is half full.’

“It’s not a case of dying, because that’s quite rare in our sport, although I’m aware it does happen.

“But usually you get pressure from the missus and kids and you realise there’s a lot to lose.

“Rossi doesn’t have children or a wife though. He’s still in his 20s in his head and is still incredibly competitive.”

* BT Sport is where the best in sport go head to head. Watch the new MotoGP season exclusively live on BT Sport 2, starting in Qatar on Sunday 18th March. For more info visit www.BT.com/sport

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