Will the Valentino Rossi name dominate motorcycle racing for decades to come?

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Just two weeks after the shock announcement that he was retiring from motorsport, we finally have an idea of why Valentino Rossi pulled the plug. On Wednesday, August 18, motorcycle racing’s all-time GOAT announced that he and partner, Francesca Sofia Novello, are expecting their first child, taking to Twitter with the news that “After a careful visit we can tell you that Franci is pregnant! We are waiting for a girl.”

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In typical Rossi fashion, the revelation was a light-hearted affair, with VR46 donning doctor’s smock and stethoscope for the reveal. Of course, the ruse was helped by the fact that Rossi’s nickname is “The Doctor” — presumably for the way he surgically dissected some of his early opponents — and that he managed to craft a pretty official-looking hospital badge for the selfies, complete with the little comic meme he uses in many of his social media promotions.

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Will the Valentino Rossi name dominate motorcycle racing for decades to come? Back to video

Already there is speculation of a family dynasty to dominate future motorcycle racing. Rossi, of course, has been busy with his VR Riding Academy, which moulds young Italian riders into the MotoGP stars of the future. Franco Morbidelli and Francesco Bagnaia, both touted as the future stars of motorcycling’s premiere class racing, are VR Academy graduates; and Moto2, its feeder class, is chock-a-block with VR alumni.

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And, of course, Rossi’s own half brother, Luca Marini — fresh off his best finish at the recent Austrian race, in which he beat his more-famous brother for the first time — is a graduate as well. So, with both nature and nurture on her side, can there be any doubt that Rossi Jr. will have all she needs to become the first woman to dominate motorcycle racing, including, one presumes — if genetics really do play a part in this business — an impish delight in humiliating her opponents?

As for Rossi’s future, speculation is rife that Valentino will end up racing cars somewhere. Exactly what types of cars is open to speculation. He famously swapped rides with Lewis Hamilton driving Mercedes’ F1 racer, and was famously offered a position on Ferrari’s racing team (which he turned down to continue racing motorcycles). One ambition that still burns brightly is his desire to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Our heartfelt congratulations to Valentino and Franci!