Kevin Schwantz tells the story of watching a young Valentino Rossi and how he was impressed by his talent.
Rossi made his debut in 2000 after achieving championship success with Aprilia in the 125cc and 250cc classes.
After making the jump to the 500cc class, Valentino Rossi As the MotoGP era began, he became the leading rider of his generation.
Give us your MotoGP Mount Rushmore
Rossi set the standard for future MotoGP riders. With his dominance and ability to take the sport to unprecedented heights.
Although there may be those who don’t think so. Valentino Rossi It would be such an iconic image for motorcycle racing. Kevin Schwantz He saw this potential years before he made his debut.
Kevin Schwantz shares his first impressions of Valentino Rossi.
Speaking on Gas out podcast, Kevin Schwantz claims to have seen Valentino Rossi ride pocket bikes in 1989, early in his motorsport journey.
Schwantz stated that Rossi was far superior to everyone else on the track, including his friends.
“I went and watched him[Rossi]in ’89, and I watched him race the pocket bike. And for me, it’s hard to watch a race and see how fast someone is. It’s not something I picture.”
But Rossi’s team-mate was faster than anyone on the track. And when Rossi got on the bike, he was so fast that he could see again. Wow, what a difference…
Schwantz saw something in Rossi early on. And since entering the premier class, he has used the potential he showed years ago.
Read more: Davide Brivio says Valentino Rossi would not have celebrated a third-place finish as a track house.
What is your favorite bike from Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP career?
Kevin Schwantz praised Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez for being able to ‘drive anything’.
Speaking further in the podcast, Schwantz both Rossi and Mark Marquez They are two great riders with the ability to win on any bike.
“I think we know Rossi can ride anything. He rode a 500, rode a 125 for a season and then won a championship. He won a 250 road championship for a season.
“500 Rod won the championship for one season. Marquez also seemed to be able to ride anything. Honda, where no one else could do anything, and he was winning races and championships on it. You can’t take anything away from the man.”
Both Rossi and Marquez won nine world championships each, all in different classes and with different teams in MotoGP.
There’s no denying that both riders are in the conversation, and their versatility is a big reason why.
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