Valentino Rossi says ‘genetic luck’ saved him from arm pump issues in MotoGP

During their careers in MotoGP, many riders experience hand pump while racing in the premier class as they try to get hold of the bikes.

However, despite racing in the MotoGP paddock from 1996 to 2021, Rossi never suffered from arm pump surgery and did not undergo surgery like other riders.

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Valentino Rossi’s ‘genetic luck’ protected him from the hand pump

While on MotoGP Hall of Fame DinnerRossi and Dani Pedrosa They were discussing arm pump, and Pedrosa was surprised to hear that Rossi had never experienced it during his career.

The Spaniard has been known to suffer a number of injuries throughout the season, and has also undergone arm pump surgery on several occasions, most recently in 2022.

Pedrosa Rosin, “Have you ever had hand pump problems?” he asked.

Rossi replied: “Zero. I’ve never had a hand pump… a little bit sometimes on a motocross bike. More than arm suction, I get tired, to gain strength… In my opinion, it’s a genetic chance, it depends on your genes and how big your forearms are. That was a big chance.”

Pedrosa responded: “I suffered a lot with arm pump. Some years more, some years less, depending on the nature of the bike, but in 2014, I only rode left-handed. In my case, it was worse if I trained a lot in the gym. And I had to train in the gym.”

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Valentino Rossi has given up on Marco Bezecic’s goalscoring chances in 2026

Although four of his VR46 Academy riders will be on the 2026 MotoGP grid, Valentino Rossi still expects his old rival Marc Marquez to win the title..

In the year During the MotoGP Hall of Fame Dinner scheduled for 2025, Rossi admitted Marco Bezecchi is ‘a guy in very good shape’ because he is ‘very focused, wants to win’.

However, Rossi said the ‘Aprilia is slightly worse than the Ducati’, meaning that despite Marquez recovering from injury in 2025, he still dominates.

Bezchichi won the opening Grand Prix of the 2026 season In Thailand, however, he crashed out of the sprint race on Saturday, leaving Thailand in second place in the championship.