Most of our readers speak English, but not all. When I saw this video online made by Valentino Rossi, which discusses his recent announcement that he will ride for Ducati in 2011, I thought it might be of interest to our readers . . . even those who don’t speak Italian.
There is something about a cheap video camera and crappy lighting that reveals an underlying character of the subject. Take a look at how annimatedly Rossi discusses his future and, if you don’t speak Italian, check back for that perfect translation that I’m sure one of our Italian readers will post.
I can speak Spanish and I could make out most of what he was saying. He just said there were various reasons for leaving Yamaha, but he didn’t exactly elaborate very much. He continued to say that he had great times with Yamaha, and for him the opportunity to ride the Ducati was a new challenge which he looked forward to do. He was being very diplomatic throughout. I get the impression he is deliberately holding back (check his body language – looking down, touches his mouth when he talks about reasons for leaving) especially when he reflects back to the good times compared to the reasons why he is moving to Ducati. A great new opportunity is the overiding thought here. Personally I think Yamaha’s decision to keep Lorenzo in favour of him but also the retirement of Masau Furusawa, M1 project leader that pushed his motivation to leave.
It took him a lot of words to say it, but what it boils down to is he doing it to impress Jodie Foster.
Anyone who performs at a high level in any field has the ego to drive their performance. Thats a large part of anything COMPETITIVE. If he did not have a cold relationship with Lorenzo then I would assume that Lorenzo was not that good. Their professional relationship is only natural.
I’d like to see a translation as well. Rossi is so enthusiastic, and I always enjoy his post-race interviews (when Speed Channel shows them). I do a reasonable imitation of his Italianglish and it cracks up my kids.
To CowboyTut: Successful racers have huge egos, all of ’em, and those big egos clash more often than not. Any conflict that Rossi and Lorenzo may (or may not) have don’t reflect a character weakness. Rossi seems so personable off the bike that it’s hard to remember that he is driven and obsessive – just like all of ’em! 🙂
I thought all italians used their hands more when they spoke….maybe thats just in new york…
Great video. He sounds excited about riding Ducati, thankful for riding Yamaha and ready for a new adventure as he calls it. I hope he finishes well this year and a great 2011-2012 season.
Go Vali!
I would very much like to know how this translates. I’ve always had some reservations about Rossi because of his dysfunctional relationship with Jorge Lorenzo. A bit of a “red flag” so to speak. I don’t know enought to comment on who was right or whose was wrong, but I work in public education and it seemed like something, SOMETHING, was very wrong here and it wasn’t all Lorenzo’s fault.
While I wish Rossi well, I think there are many factors contributing to his leaving Yamaha and while some are well merited, others are far less so.
Just my two cents from what I am hearing on the street. I doubt that Rossi is some kind of Saint.
-Tutt