"Riding a race bike is an art - a thing that you do because you feel something inside."
Read quote
281 likes
Quote collection
Valentino Rossi quotes (page 1 of 3)
58 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"I try to have a different relationship with the bike. I don't give it a name, but I always speak with it. I don't know if the other riders do the same. This is not only a piece of metal - there is a soul. The bike talks back too. But not with a voice, with the components"
Read quote
280 likes
"The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the bike... you have to understand what she wants. I think of a motorcycle as a woman, and I know that sounds silly, but it's true."
Read quote
278 likes
"To be a great motorbike racer, the most important thing is passion for the bike."
Read quote
224 likes
"The speed is something dangerous but very exciting."
Read quote
220 likes
"Giving yourself threads doesn't mean you don't believe in yourself in my opinion."
Read quote
146 likes
"I think the secret is to understand that you still want to be part of the game. To do so, you have to forget all the victories you've managed to get in the previous years and have a great humility. You also need to realise that, if you want to go on, you have to work hard. If you dwell too much on your past successes and say "well, I have won nine world titles and more than 100 races", you'd rather stay home."
Read quote
136 likes
"Maybe the bike is more dangerous, but the passion for the car for me is second to the bike."
Read quote
135 likes
"I feel 100% a Yamaha rider in my heart. I had a long career and raced with several factory bikes, but the highlight of my career is undoubtedly with Yamaha."
Read quote
123 likes
"I'm Valentino Rossi. And I want to be a person, not an icon."
Read quote
122 likes
"Our sport is dangerous. We risk the life out there, so we need to stay calm and focused and leave all the rest out."
Read quote
99 likes
"But I could also start F1 or rallying. I love rallying much more."
Read quote
85 likes
"Motivation is the key. More than training, more than experience or age, motivation counts. You have to ask yourself: 'Why am I racing?' I race because I like it, because I'm really enjoying it. I like to set up my bike and ride it on track. After 20 years in the GPs I'm still highly motivated. Everything else is a consequence."
Read quote
57 likes
"How do Ferrari know what I'm doing next year when I don't know what I'm doing next week?"
Read quote
56 likes
"I race to win. If I am on the bike or in a car it will always be the same."
Read quote
56 likes
"I would have probably stolen cars - it would have given me the same adrenaline rush as racing."
Read quote
55 likes
"I'm lucky because I don't feel too much pressure - it's only in the last hour before the race, and even then it's good, positive pressure."
Read quote
53 likes
"To win the Championship in the first year will be hard. We need time to become competitive and win races."
Read quote
50 likes
"I have designs I like applied to my helmet, motorcycle, riding suits, gloves,and boots. I have a designer friend of mine put the designs on them for me. I think a livery on the helmet is significant in expressing a rider's personality."
Read quote
49 likes
"You need to realise that, if you want to go on, you have to work hard. If you dwell too much on your past successes and say "well, I have won nine world titles and more than 100 races", you'd rather stay home. The sport, your rivals, the tyres, your motorcycle, everything changes so instead you need to work more to be stronger. If you don't, you're finished."
Read quote
49 likes