Valencia MotoGP Grand Prix – Valentino Rossi finishes 10th for his last GP, Bagnaia wins, Quartararo 5th – Eurosport FR

Red sun in Valencia. Under a cloud of yellow flags hit by the sun in honor of the last of Valentino Rossi (Petronas), Ducati and his red cars ruled Sunday on the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Cheste (Valencian Community). Francesco Bagnaia scored a fourth success in the premier class, the second in a row, ahead of Jorge Martin (Pramac) and Jack Miller for a 100% Ducati podium. More at ease than in qualifying, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha Factory) concluded a historic season in 5th place, a position ahead of Johann Zarco (Pramac), 6th. For his final Grand Prix procession, Valentino Rossi cut the line in a nice 10th place. The end of an era.

It could not be otherwise. Not a cloud, no wind, a coruscating sun as projected from the fluorescent yellow stands of the Ricardo Tormo circuit. All under a blue sky that certainly did not want to miss anything of the 432nd and last start of Valentino Rossi, 42 years old and 9 world titles on the clock. However, even if by Fabio Quartararo’s own admission, this Sunday was “Valentino’s Day”, the correction imposed by Ducati the day before during qualifying has remained firmly anchored in everyone’s mind.

Ducati above the lot, Zarco ends well

As usual, the start did not help matters, despite the presence of Suzuki riders in the Top 5. The Borgo Panigale firm then unrolled its score, above the lot, this Sunday. Alex Rins and Joan Mir (Suzuki) tried to twist the forecasts, but the fall of the first with 17 laps to go and the loss of speed of the second at the end of the race (4th) could not avoid a gleaming podium. . All while looking already towards 2022.

Out of the game for victory, Quartararo can nevertheless savor a 5th place, acquired at the end of a race spent fighting with a poorly performing front tire on this track in Valencia. A lesser evil for the Niçois who will now take full advantage of his world title. Cutting the line one place behind his compatriot, Zarco (6th) was never able to overthrow Miller for the gain of 4th place overall. The Cannois will still have to wait to unlock his MotoGP counter, while the competition from Jorge Martin, best rookie of the year, promises to be increasingly fierce in 2022.

A next exercise that will not play Rossi, 10th for his last. The “Doctor” of Tavullia, considered one of the greatest of his sport, has ended in a beautiful way a legendary career escorted by millions of yellow suns reflecting the so many smiles won by the exploits of the Italian. The succession is assured, the legacy eternal.