Rossi won top category world crowns in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 20, having started off with a 125cc crown in 1997 before adding a 250cc title two years later. Big congratulations for your amazing career! I'll remember all my life the first race I ever watch you in Jerez 2005 and you motivated me to be where I am today,' tweeted Quartararo. Warm praise for his stellar career came from rivals, including French star Fabio Quartararo, his successor at the Yamaha factory team who leads this year's title race.

Recent years have seen the man nicknamed 'The Doctor' combine competing with ownership of the his own VR46 team, helping to bring on young riders in Moto2 and Moto3 and next season he will be free to concentrate on that mentor role. He has competed in 423 grands prix races - 363 in the top class. Rossi will finish his career with seven premier class world titles - just one behind the all-time record of eight held by compatriot Giacomo Agostini. 'It's a very sad moment because it's difficult to say and know that next year I will not race with a motorcycle, I've done that for I think more or less 30 years.' 'It's been a very long trip but really great fun.' 'I have decided to stop at the end of the season,' said Rossi. However, he told a press conference ahead of this weekend's Styrian Grand Prix that he will call it a day, 12 years on from his last MotoGP title. The 42-year-old Italian signed a one-season deal with Yamaha-SRT for this campaign and it had been mooted he might ride for his own team next term. Motorcycling legend and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi confirmed Thursday he will retire at the end of the season after 26 years lighting up the sport.

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