The MotoGP tribute that does a disservice to a legend

For a long time, at least, Valentino Rossi’s achievements in MotoGP will continue to be hailed. His nine world titles and 115 grand prix victories remain the benchmark for the modern crop to aspire to.

Although his final season last year ended with more of a whimper than a bang, the Rossi legend is immortal. Through his VR46 Academy, top Italian talents in Francesco Bagnaia, Franco Morbidelli, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi carry his legacy forward in the premier class in 2022, while the ‘yellow army’ can get behind his VR46 Ducati squad.

Dorna Sports has already rolled out the red carpet for his retirement, making him an official MotoGP legend ahead of his final outing in Valencia last year, while all nine of his title-winning bikes were assembled for his viewing pleasure and a massive mural painted on the race control building at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.

But while he carves out his new career in car racing, with Audi customer squad Team WRT in GT World Challenge Europe, MotoGP is not done throwing honours at Rossi.

At Mugello on Saturday – scene of seven-successive MotoGP wins for Rossi on home soil between 2002 and 2008 – MotoGP will retire his famous #46 from competition in a move that raised eyebrows when it was announced during the French Grand Prix weekend.

It was something that was immediately questioned because the idea of retiring his racing number, something usually reserved for riders who have died, was shot down by Rossi himself several years ago.

“About my number, I was thinking – my first impression is that I don’t like that the 46 is retired,” Rossi said when asked about it back in 2016. “I prefer that it remains and if some other rider wants to take that number they can.”

MotoGP has previous form when it comes to benching notable riders’ numbers at the conclusion of their careers. The 1993 500cc world…