Petronas Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi prepares for his penultimate home GP this weekend as MotoGP moves to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

With Argentina’s 2021 visit replaced by a second trip to the Adriatic Coast, in October, ‘The Doctor’ will get a second bite at the cherry as his illustrious career draws to a close. But with fans already flocking to the Rimini di Riviera circuit for this weekend, he’s hoping to improve on last years’ near podium performance.

“Misano is always a special race,” Rossi said from his home paddock on Thursday. “A special weekend because I live very close from here, Tavullia is very close, and also because I grew up in this track, as a rider. The first time I try a motorcycle, a big motorcycle in a real track, was here in Misano, in 92 I think, so 30 years ago, and it’s always great.

“The first time I rode the motorcycle was unforgettable. I remember that when you enter in a real track is like you enter in another dimension, is very different compared to ride the bike on the road, for example.

“There’s always emotion [here] because we will have a lot of fans during the weekend, especially on Sunday, so will be very important, to try to give the maximum, to be competitive and strong because this is the most important thing.

“It’s a difficult track, and also a physical one, but it’s somewhere that I really love and enjoy,” he continued. “We did have consistent pace at Aragón during the free practice sessions but we couldn’t also show this in qualifying and the race, so hopefully this weekend will be even better for us.”

Last weekend saw one of Rossi’s VR46 Academy graduates put on a spectacular showcase, as Pecco Bagnaia secured his maiden victory as a MotoGP rider, having overcome a race-long battle with eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez. Another protégé, Franky Morbidelli, is also celebrating securing a factory M1 and two year contract from this race, as he returns from injury, with the veteran Italian openly proud of his friends achievements.

“We wanted to try to see the race together with Pecco on Sunday but unfortunately we didn’t have the chance, but I saw the race alone and it was great, was fantastic. Great race with the fantastic battle to the last lap, and Pecco ride incredibly, We are very happy and very proud because next year, Pecco and Franco, will race in two of the best teams of the championship, with the factory bikes and I think that they can fight for the championship. So we are very happy and for sure I will follow next year from my sofa.

“On the paper, I can be stronger here in Misano because in Aragon was difficult but is one of the worst tracks for me during the season,” he said, returning to the matter at hand. “Usually Misano I am better and also, last year I was good, especially in the first race. Was a great race, I always stay in the first group and unfortunately I lose the podium on the last lap, but I was competitive, so for sure I will try.”

After the past three months’ musical chairs, Misano brings another new element for the end of the 2021 season, as Andrea Dovizioso returns to Yamaha, and the Petronas SRT team.

“I am very happy to have Andrea as a teammate,” Rossi said on the announcement, “because, first of all we have a good relationship and also we are great rivals - because we fight together in MotoGP from 2008, from the first race, and I think that we did a lot of good fight against. Is important for the championship, he is an important name for the championship, because in the last years he was always a top rider and also I’m very curious to know his feeling from the bike.”