Is There Life in the Old Goat?! Valentino Rossi Still Shifts (And His 5 Best Moments)

Someone said the old Goat still had it – that Valentino Rossi was “still pretty quick” in recent testing, let dig into if they were wrong…

The clip doing the rounds comes from a private test at Mandalika, where Rossi was riding a Yamaha R1 GYTR and lapping at around two seconds off the benchmark pace set by MotoGP champ Francesco Bagnaia.

Now, that number needs a bit of context. Rossi wasn’t on a MotoGP bike, wasn’t in qualifying trim, and wasn’t there to chase lap records – he was riding for feel on a road-based superbike. Bagnaia’s reference time came from a hard-run Ducati superbike with riders already fully dialled in.

Put it all together and being within roughly two seconds,and closer as the test went on – years after stepping away from MotoGP? That’s not pottering about. That’s a nine-time world champ still knowing how to hustle a bike.

Lid Life take: why it’s so satisfying to see

There’s something comforting about it, isn’t there? Like finding a 10mm socket you lost in 2009. Rossi still being rapid reminds us that:

• talent doesn’t expire – it just changes vehicles,
• proper racers stay racers
• and some people are simply built different (probably on a secret diet of espresso, mischief, and pure audacity).

Right. Enough modern-day pace chat. Let’s get into the good stuff.

Rossi’s 5 best moments (with videos!)

These are a mix of pure wins, absolute chaos, and moments that made you shout at the telly like it owed you money. If you’re new to Rossi, welcome aboard – mind the oil stains.

1) Welkom 2004: the Yamaha debut win (the “go on then, prove it” moment)

Switching from Honda and then winning immediately? That’s not confidence – that’s weaponised confidence.

 

2) Laguna Seca 2008: Rossi vs Stoner (the Corkscrew incident that launched a thousand arguments)

Even if you’ve seen it 50 times, you’ll still watch it like it’s new – and then immediately start debating whether it was genius, madness, or both (it’s both).

Watch: Rossi–Stoner Laguna Seca 2008 battle (YouTube) 

3) Catalunya 2009: Rossi vs Lorenzo (the last-corner “yoink”)

That final corner pass is still one of the cheekiest bits of racecraft ever. If you’ve ever said “I had him set up for the last bend” while overtaking a tractor… this is your spiritual home.

Watch: Remember MotoGP Catalunya 2009 (YouTube)

4) Jerez 2005: Rossi vs Gibernau (last-lap elbows-out theatre)

Back when overtakes came with a side order of drama and nobody pretended they were “just happy to be here”. This one is pure MotoGP folklore.

Watch: Remember MotoGP Jerez 2005 (YouTube) 

5) Donington 2000: first premier-class win (wet track, big statement)

Before the legend became a legend, there was this: Rossi charging through in the wet to take his first top-class win. Proper “hello, I’ll be needing a big trophy cabinet” energy.

Watch: 2000 British GP – Rossi’s first 500cc win (YouTube) 

Over to you lot!

Right then, what’s your greatest Rossi moment?

• Did we nail it… or have we committed a crime against MotoGP history?
• Which clip still gives you goosebumps?
• And be honest: how many times have you rewatched Laguna Seca just to start the same argument again?

Drop your picks in the comments, and what do you reckon? 

Has the old goat still got it? Or, should he head on out to pasture? (and when I say head on out to pasture, we obviously mean with a dirt bike…and he's going to rip it up)