Valentino Rossi announces he will RETIRE from MotoGP at the end of the season after 21 YEARS in the premier class where he won seven world championships By Dan Ripley for MailOnline Published: 15:28 BST, 5 August 2021 | Updated: 16:20 BST, 5 August 2021 3 Viewcomments Valentino Rossi has brought down the curtain on his glittering motorcycle career after announcing he will retire from the sport at the end of the season. The legendary Italian rider has been racing in MotoGP since 2000, winning seven world championships since. But the 42-year-old has struggled badly this term since moving from Yamaha to their satellite Petronas team and admitted it was time to hang up his crash helmet. Valentino Rossi has announced he will retire from MotoGP at the end of the season The 42-year-old has struggled badly for form since joining the Petronas Yamaha team this term Speaking at a press conference in Austria, Rossi said: 'I have decided to stop at the end of the season. Unfortunately this will be my last half-season as a MotoGP rider. 'It is a very sad moment because it's difficult to say and know that next year I will not race with a motorcycle. 'Next year, my life will change. But it was great, I've enjoyed it very much, it's been a long, long journey and it was really, really fun, and I have had unforgettable moments with all my guys.' Although he has been riding in the premier class since 2000, Rossi's career stretches back to 1996 when he debuted in the 125cc class - now known as Moto3. After winning the title a year later and adding another in the 250cc class in 1999 the popular Italian made the step up to the satellite Honda team in the premier class in 2000. Affectionaly known as 'The Doctor', he was an immediate sensation by winning two races and grabbing 10 podiums to finish second in the world championship. A year later he claimed his first premier world championship before moving to the factory Honda team and retaining his titles for two more years. A surprise switch to a struggling Yamaha team occurred in 2004, and he cemented his reputation as one of the sport's greatest by winning four more titles over the course of the decade. During this period he engaged in memorable battles and rivalries with the likes of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden for world championships. An ill-fated spell at Ducati for the 2011 and 2012 seasons preceded a return to Yamaha where he narrowly missed out on the 2015 title. But the Italian's form has slowly declined since and after leaving Yamaha again last year, he has recorded just one top 10 finish this term. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility