Alvaro Bautista didn’t idolise Valentino Rossi growing up, but he still appreciates what the Italian legend did for riders who came after him.
Rossi is widely regarded as the greatest MotoGP rider in history. His impact on the sport goes beyond just his results, with few able to match his influence.
It wasn’t just his success that drew fans to MotoGP. Rossi’s personality and showmanship played a huge role in bringing new attention to the sport.
Bautista grew up watching Rossi, who had already established himself as a major figure in MotoGP by then. But it was Rossi’s influence off the track that stood out most to him.
“I never had any idols,” Bautista told WorldSBK. “But I admired how many doors he opened for us.”
Alvaro Bautista says Valentino Rossi helped MotoGP riders ‘relax’ more
During an appearance on Fast and Curious, Bautista was asked what it was like to race in the same era as Rossi.
He spoke about how Rossi helped make the sport less serious, allowing riders to be more laid-back and approachable than before.
“More than my idol, I liked how fun he was. I think, like everyone else, he changed the mindset on motorcycles and racing,” Bautista said.
“Before, it was more serious. When Valentino arrived, it was more relaxed, everything was more calm, more humorous. I think I changed a bit because of it.”
Bautista also praised Rossi for his adaptability and longevity in the sport: “Valentino has lived a lot; he’s had to adapt to everything. I admire him a lot. He wasn’t my idol when I was little…”
Racing against someone who redefined the way people viewed motorcycle racing left a lasting impression on Bautista: “To be able to fight with Valentino, who is one of the best ever in motorcycle racing or at least changed the way we see motorcycling, was an honour…”
Bautista Praises Rossi’s ability to stay ahead of the curve in MotoGP
During his appearance on the Fast and Curious podcast, Bautista spoke about how Rossi managed to adapt across different eras of the sport.
“But Valentino never really became my idol. I admired him because he was incredibly fast. When he moved up to 250cc, he was very competitive from the start. When he moved up to 500cc, that was the important step. Because now, with four-strokes, it became relatively easier.
“But in the two-stroke era, not everyone could reach 500. That required skill. Now, with all the electronics available, it’s not a shame, but it has evolved so much that perhaps the rider’s skill is less noticeable than it was in the two-stroke era.
“Valentino was able to adapt to all the categories very quickly, and then he was able to adapt to the four-stroke as well. He was able to adapt to the new generations, styles, tyres…”
Bautista made a good point about how many modern riders grew up watching Rossi navigate these transitions so effectively and how this generation might look back at his approach for inspiration as they face their own changes.
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