The young Rossi is writing his own story in the small category, despite the difficulty linked to his last name, and is counting on the 2020 season to reach a milestone in terms of results.
Having the same name as one of the greatest pilots in history, who is still active, is no easy feat, especially when you have no family ties to him. This is the case of Riccardo rossi, a young 18-year-old Italian who arrived last year in the Moto3 World Championship. But for him, no problem since his elder has all his respect and he has learned to live with it.
“Valentino is a legend. When I was little my idol was Casey Stoner but I also supported Rossi and I always followed his career. I didn't have his cap or that kind of thing but when he won I was happy. What he's doing in the World Championship right now is incredible.", he told GP One. “For me the first races of this season, or even the next, will be extremely important. Valentino loves this sport very much but he wants to be competitive, to be able to play up front. If he does, he could still be here in 2022.”
In the Gresini team in 2019, the Italian had a discreet first season during which he learned a lot, without making any splashes. In the points in four of the last seven races of the year, he clearly turned a corner at the end of the season and hopes to continue his momentum this year. However, he will have to adapt to the KTM of the BOE Skull Rider Facile Energy team that he has recently joined, something not as simple as that, as the first Grand Prix of the season at Losail showed.
“In Qatar I think I had some problems”, he explained. “I am one of the lightest in the category but in the straight I was one of the slowest. I still have to understand some things about the KTM, which is a slightly less easy bike than the Honda this year. It has difficulty turning in tight corners, and in a straight line, as I said, it loses something but it's only a matter of time. Overall the weekend didn't go bad and I think it was a reflection of how my season can go. »
“It can take two directions: either fifth place in my free practice or 24th place in the race. Everything will depend on my approach to the season and the reactions of the bike. It's an extremely important season for me and my future, I have to do the best I can. »
Rossi hopes to soon be able to join the fight in the leading group in order to improve his results and clearly progress. However, with a reduced number of races, it will be difficult for him to adapt so quickly to his new mount and show his potential: “Our category is already unpredictable to begin with, but a championship of this kind will make it even more unpredictable. Anything can really happen and there could be some significant underdogs fighting for the title. At the moment I see Arenas very fast but Tony Arbolino and Masiá could also be there, they have the speed and the potential to win races. »
