'Mixed feeling' - Valentino Rossi's #46 retired from MotoGP at Mugello
The ceremony was held on the main straight of the Itaꦫlian Grand Prix venue, where Rossi had thrilled his home fans with seven straight wins from 2002-2008.
Crowd numbers this weekend look well below the attendance for the Rossi years, but many of those present assembled in the main grandstand at lunchtime to see Rossi's 46 retired by Dorna CEO Carmelo E🃏zpeleta and FIM president Jorge Viegas.
Paddock members also watched on from pit lane.
"It's a mixed feeling," said Rossi. "From the one side it's veꦡry sad that I've finished and the 46 is retired🦂.
"On the other side, it's a great feeling because it was a long story, an unforgettable career, full of great moments. So I'm very proud and ꦇtoday was good here at Mugello, a special place, our home grand prix.
"It's also good because I always raced with the 46, so the 46 means ꧑a lot to me and it was the number of Graziano, my father.
"I'm happy because thಞe 46 is a sign, not just a number."
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The Doctor won nine championsh𝔍ips, 115 grands prix and became the world’s most famo💎us motorcycle racer during an illustrious 26-year career.
After leaving🥂 MotoGP 🅠at the end of last season, Rossi was immediately made an Official MotoGP Legend while his #46 now joins the likes of #27 (Casey Stoner), #69 (Nicky Hayden) and #34 (Kevin Schwantz) in being banned from future use in the premier-class.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the S▨uzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
