Valentino Rossi's 46 racing number is retired, other racers are prohibited from using it

 After more than 25 years in the world of motorcycle racing, Valentino Rossi ends his career in the 2021 season. The former nine-time world champion and MotoGP legend has recorded 115 race wins and a total of 235 podiums. Not only that, his name has also brought MotoGP to be so well known and attracted so many fans around the world.

Rossi's great contribution to MotoGP does not stop with him, because he also founded the VR46 Riders Academy, a racing school whose students are now also taking part in MotoGP. Naturally, last year, Dorna Sports, as the MotoGP regulator, immediately awarded him the title of legend when he decided to retire at the end of the season.

As a form of respect for the legend, the iconic number 46 that had been used by Rossi was immediately retired by Dorna. The ceremony was held on May 28 or just before the qualifying session at the Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley Mugello, Italy, for the Italian GP. "The number 46 will be retired from use in the MotoGP class at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello," reads an official statement from MotoGP on Saturday (14/5).

The number is indeed so identical to Valentino Rossi. And with the retirement of number 46 in the MotoGP class, later no more riders will be allowed to wear that number. This is the second award after Rossi retired at the end of the 2021 season. Previously, The Doctor was inducted into the MotoGP Legend Hall of Fame in Valencia in November last year.

“The most positive thing in my career is that many people started following MotoGP to follow my career from the start, and this sport became bigger, not only famous in Italy but also all over the world. It's a relief to know that during my career I became something different, something like an icon and this is a great honor," Rossi said as quoted by Reuters at the end of last year.

On the other hand, The Doctor actually prefers his number to be used by young drivers. If retired, it could close the dream of young riders to use their idol number. "About my number (46), I thought, I don't like number 46 being retired. I would prefer it to remain and if some other riders want to wear that number, they can," said Rossi quoted from Crash, Sunday (15/5). )

The racing number that he carried during his career in the racing world is actually a legacy. Rossi chose the number 46 because his father, Graziano Rossi is a former racer who also uses the number 46 on his motorbike. So he hopes that with this number he can follow in his father's footsteps to become a motorcycle racer.

Although he has retired from MotoGP, Rossi is currently still competing in the racing world. One of them participated in the GT World Challenge championship in Europe. Meanwhile his VR46 Racing Team made its MotoGP premier class debut this season.

For your information, actually this is not the first time the racer's number has been retired. Previously there were Marco Simoncelli (58), Nicky Hayden (69), Loris Capirossi (65) and Kevin Schwantz (34). Those are numbers that can no longer be used in the MotoGP premier class.

Then in the Moto2 class, Luis Salom with number 39. This number cannot be used anymore after Salom died in an accident in Catalunya in 2016. Next is number 48 belonging to Shiya Tomizawa who died in Misano in 2010. Last year, Dorna also retired Jason's number 50 Dupasquier.