Rossi, 42, is a nine-time world champion, with seven of his titles coming in the top category; he is the only rider to have started 400 or more races, with 89 victories in the top category.

After a quarter-century in grand prix racing, Valentino Rossi, one of the sport’s best and most charismatic champions, announced his retirement from MotoGP at the end of the 2021 season.

The 42-year-old Italian, who races under the number 46, has won nine world titles, seven of them in the top category.

“I decided to stop at the end of the season,” he told a specially arranged news conference ahead of this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix at Austria’s Red Bull Ring.

“Unfortunately this will be the last half-season as a MotoGP rider. It’s difficult, it’s a very sad moment because it’s difficult to say and to know that next year I will not race with the motorcycle.

“I do this thing for more or less 30 years. Next year my life will change. But anyway, it was great, I enjoy very much this long, long journey and it was really, really fun.”

Rossi is riding for the Malaysia-based Petronas Yamaha team this season, but his form has faded, with the veteran languishing in 19th place in the championship with only a best finish of 10th in nine races.

Regardless, the sport and his thousands of fans will miss him; the Italian is still a crowd favorite with global recognition.

Rossi has 89 wins in the top category and 26 in the junior 125cc and 250cc categories, making him the first rider to start 400 or more races.