On April 23, 1995, Kevin Schwantz competed in the last Grand Prix of his career, finishing sixth in the Japanese GP at Suzuka, behind Daryl Beattie, Mick doohan, Takuma Aoki, Luca Cadalora and Alberto Puig. On March 31, 1996, Valentino Rossi competed in his first 125 GP in Malaysia, which means that apart from a few months, the Texan champion and the Italian maestro never had the chance to cross paths when they were both in activity.
Valentino Rossi has encountered many rivals on the track during his 24-year GP career. But his dream opponent was never one of them, as the man with nine World Champion titles revealed.
No, Valentino Rossi has never lacked rivals in his 24 years of GP racing to date. At 41, he has already fought numerous spectacular duels in the small categories of the World Championship, and this has not changed after his rise to the premier class, whether against his compatriot and great rival Max Biaggi, the late Nicky Hayden, Ducati star Casey Stoner, his Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo or current Honda gold medalist Marc Márquez, the doctor had his hands full in each case.
Asked about his favorite opponent, the seven-time world champion in the highest category, however, reveals a rival of choice that he has never had to face on the GP tracks. In an interview given to Sky Sport Italia, the winner of 115 Grands Prix revealed: “My favorite opponent? I would have loved to play with Kevin Schwantz. »
“As a kid, I watched the golden years of the 500 World Championship, with all the Americans and Australians, and he was my favorite driver. »
“It would be great if I could compete against Schwantz, him on the Suzuki and me on the 500cc Yamaha” said the Yamaha star, who is also a big fan of GP legend Schwantz.
In an interview with Marca.com last April, the 55-year-old Texan praised the Italian champion: “I believe Rossi is getting smarter every year and he also has the speed to beat the Honda with Márquez, because he is fast and consistent. »
Rossi has never competed on a Yamaha 500cc, having won the last 3cc championship on a Honda NSR in 500.
Schwantz, on the other hand, rode a Suzuki throughout his GP career. Between 1986 and 1995, the American scored 25 victories and 51 podium places in 105 GP races.
The current 2020 GP calendar:
March 08: Doha/Q (without MotoGP)
May 17: Le Mans/F
May 31: Mugello/I
June 07: Barcelona / E
June 21: Sachsenring/D
June 28: Assen/NL
July 12: KymiRing/SF
August 09: Brno/CZ
August 16: Red Bull Ring/A
August 30: Silverstone/GB
September 13: Misano/I
September 27: Aragón/E
October 04: Buriram/TH
October 18: Motegi/J
October 25: Phillip Island/AUS
November 01: Sepang /MAL
November 15: Texas/United States
November 22: Les Termas/Argentina
November 29: Valencia/E
No date: Jerez/E
Source: Speedweek. com
Photos © Yamaha and MotoGP.com
