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Valentino Rossi says rumours that he is set to retire from MotoGP at the end of the year are not true.Hard to say really. I think my hunch is that he'll go back to Honda?! Rossi and Stoner at Honda would be mega explosive, would love to see that.
Fevered speculation has surrounded the Italian's position at Ducati and within MotoGP since his outspoken criticism of the Desmosedici following a disappointing opening round in Qatar. Rossi, 10th on the road, said at the time: "I can't ride this bike, I can't make the difference... What can I say?"
Such rumours intensified when the Daily Telegraph ran an article claiming Rossi had told his inner circle that he would not race past the 2012 season.
The seven-time champion has come out to refute such talk however, insisting that it is without foundation.
He tweeted AUTOSPORT's Toby Moody: "Ciao guys, the rumours about my retirement at the end of the year are not true! See you in Le Mans."
Rossi's comments are unlikely to completely end the speculation, with many viewing his manifest desire to win again as evidence he cannot be wholly fulfilled riding for Ducati.
"I came here at the end of 2010 with the idea of racing for two years and try to win with Ducati. But it's hard. Besides, I'd like to stay two more years," Rossi told Motosprint last month.
"If we work well we are able to fight for fifth or sixth place. I'm not excited by that: if you must fight for fifth place then little by little you lose enthusiasm."
racechick wrote:I dont think he'll go back to Honda. I think he'll be hell bent on getting Ducati to work. Id just love this to happen but I dont think he'll hang around if it becomes an impossibility. Time sadly isnt on his side. But if he hangs around for a couple more years and Ducati comes good...DREAM!Ducati are trying different things. If some of their experiments come up trumps, then Rossi could easily find himself with an advantage like Stoner had.
andrew wrote:Can't say I'll miss him. With a young family it seems a sensible move though.Well, i did say a while back (see above) my hunch was that he'd go to Honda...
Is it too early to start a rumour about Rossi replacing him?
Sad to see him finish up when he is still in his prime and could still go on and collect a few more world titles, But it his choice and I respect that, he has a family to think about amongst other things. But as Bud said, he probably try his hand at V8 Supercars in the future as he has a keen eye on it, gets to stay in Australia and much more safe than a MotoGP bike. I spose all the Stoner bashers will be glad to see him go, Anyway hopefully he can finish of his MotoGP career on a high with another title. like this. I don't respect anybody quitting in their prime like this, especially if it's because it's dangerous and all that mumbo jumbo about families and . Give me a break. His wife or girlfriend or whoever shoulda thought about that when they started dating. Boo hoo. the rest of your life. Vanity for vanity's sake...nothing wrong with that cuz it's just honesty 
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