Alvaro Bautista credits Valentino Rossi with shifting the mindset of MotoGP riders
Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Alvaro Bautista didn’t idolise Valentino Rossi growing up, but he still appreciates what the Italian legend did for riders who came after him. Rossi is widely regarded as the greatest MotoGP rider in history. His impact on the sport goes beyond just his results, with few able to match his influence.
It wasn’t just his success that drew fans to MotoGP. Rossi’s personality and showmanship played a huge role in bringing new attention to the sport. Bautista grew up watching Rossi, who had already established himself as a major figure in MotoGP by then.
But it was Rossi’s influence off the track that stood out most to him. “I never had any idols,” Bautista told WorldSBK. “But I admired how many doors he opened for us.
” Alvaro Bautista says Valentino Rossi helped MotoGP riders ‘relax’ more Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images During an appearance on Fast and Curious, Bautista was asked what it was like to race in the same era as Rossi. He spoke about how Rossi helped make the sport less serious, allowing riders to be more laid-back and approachable than before. “More than my idol, I liked how fun he was.
I think, like everyone else, he changed the mindset on motorcycles and racing,” Bautista said. “Before, it was more serious. When Valentino arrived, it was more relaxed, everything was more calm, more humorous.