Editing Valentino Rossi (section)

====Return to Yamaha (2013–2020)====
=====2013=====
[[File:2013 - Le Mans - MotoGP 02 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Rossi with Cal Crutchlow in the [[2013 French motorcycle Grand Prix|2013 French Grand Prix]], where he finished 12th]]
On 10 August, it was confirmed that Rossi was going to leave the factory Ducati team in the end of the 2012 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Ducati+Rossi+split |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405045030/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Ducati+Rossi+split |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 April 2014 |title=Ducati and Rossi to part ways in the end of 2012|work=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=10 August 2012|access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref> Later that day, it was also announced that Rossi were to rejoin the Yamaha factory team until the end of the 2014 season, resuming his partnership with Jorge Lorenzo.<ref name=backtoyam>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Rossi+back+to+Yamaha |title=Rossi heads back to Yamaha for 2013 on two-year contract|work=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=10 August 2012|access-date=10 August 2012|archive-date=11 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911002010/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Rossi+back+to+Yamaha|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rossi was reacquainted with the Yamaha when he tested the bike over 13–14 November 2012 in a post-season test in [[Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencia]].<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/186055/1/pics-valentino-rossi-returns-to-yamaha.html |title=PICS: Valentino Rossi returns to Yamaha|date=13 November 2012|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716180733/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/186055/1/pics-valentino-rossi-returns-to-yamaha.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, rain prevented him from posting an accurate lap time until he tested the 2013 machine later on 5–7 February 2013 in [[Sepang International Circuit|Sepang]], where he posted the third-fastest time of 2:00.542 out of 28 riders. He clocked 0.442 seconds off from pace-setter Dani Pedrosa and just 0.113 seconds off teammate Jorge Lorenzo.

He kicked off the season well. In the opening round in [[2013 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix|Qatar]] he had a competitive pace all weekend but lost out badly with the new qualifying format, demoting him to seventh place on race day. He quickly fought himself back to fourth on the opening lap, but ran wide when he tried to overtake Ducati replacement rider Andrea Dovizioso, once again dropping him back to seventh place. His podium chances continued to worsen when he got stuck behind [[Stefan Bradl]] but once he passed him, he defied the odds by bridging a three-second gap to Cal Crutchlow, Dani Pedrosa and rookie [[Marc Márquez]] who were fighting for second place. Rossi passed both Crutchlow and Pedrosa, but Márquez' aggressive riding style and determination led to a battle between the two. Márquez overtook Rossi on the penultimate lap, with Rossi repassing him on the final lap to stay in front and cross the line ahead of the Spanish rookie with 0.211 seconds.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/189587/1/qatar-motogp-rossi-dazzles-on-yamaha-return.html |title=Rossi revels in comeback podium|date=8 April 2013|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716115720/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/189587/1/qatar-motogp-rossi-dazzles-on-yamaha-return.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the next two races in the [[2013 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas|Americas]] and [[2013 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spain]], Rossi finished in sixth and fourth position.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/190179/1/austin-motogp-rossi-defensive-sixth-lost-part-of-a-disc.html |title=Rossi defensive sixth, 'lost part of a disc'|date=22 April 2013|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716175432/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/190179/1/austin-motogp-rossi-defensive-sixth-lost-part-of-a-disc.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/190802/1/motogp-jerez-rossi-expected-to-be-faster.html |title=Rossi unable to match pace of leading trio in Jerez|date=5 May 2013|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716175824/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/190802/1/motogp-jerez-rossi-expected-to-be-faster.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the French round, he finished a disappointing twelfth. He started the race from eighth on the grid and moved up to third to grab another podium but lost the position to Cal Crutchlow and then slid out of contention with ten laps to go. Rossi continued to finish in twelfth position, albeit on a damaged bike and hampered by a misting visor.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/191387/1/le-mans-valentino-rossi-a-good-result-thrown-away.html |title=Rossi sees podium chance slide away|date=20 May 2013|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716181603/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/191387/1/le-mans-valentino-rossi-a-good-result-thrown-away.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In round five, the [[2013 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix|Italian Grand Prix]], Rossi registered his only retirement of the year. He was involved in a first-lap collision with the Gresini Honda of Álvaro Bautista in the left-right chicane which forms turns two and three. Rossi rode around the outside of Bautista, but he failed to notice Rossi and clipped his bike on the approach to the right-hander, making him fall and collecting Rossi in the process.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/191895/1/mugello-motogp-rossi-bautista-clash-declared-racing-incident.html |title=Rossi, Bautista clash declared 'racing incident'|date=2 June 2013|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716175220/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/191895/1/mugello-motogp-rossi-bautista-clash-declared-racing-incident.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2013 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix|Catalunya]], Rossi finished just off the podium for the second consecutive time by finishing fourth after starting from seventh on the grid.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/192433/1/rossi-and-yamaha-growing-up-every-race.html |title=Rossi: We are growing up every race|date=16 June 2013|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-date=23 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723232301/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/192433/1/rossi-and-yamaha-growing-up-every-race.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 June 2013 in the [[2013 Dutch TT|Dutch]] round, Rossi recorded his first MotoGP win since Malaysia in 2010 – a 46-race winless streak. He started from fourth on the grid but overtook the Honda of Dani Pedrosa for the lead on lap six, a lead he held to the line despite a late charge by the other Honda of Márquez, who crossed the line 2.170 seconds behind the Italian.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/192955/1/imperious-valentino-rossi-dominates-dutch-motogp.html |title=Dutch MotoGP: Imperious Valentino Rossi dominates in Assen|date=29 June 2013|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716105352/http://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/192955/1/imperious-valentino-rossi-dominates-dutch-motogp.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After his first win of the season in Assen, Rossi continued to score good results by scoring two more podiums in the form of third places in the [[2013 German motorcycle Grand Prix|German]]<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/193520/1/rossi-i-must-go-faster-if-i-want-to-fight-for-title.html |title=German MotoGP: Rossi: I must go faster if I want to fight for title|date=15 July 2013|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716175429/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/193520/1/rossi-i-must-go-faster-if-i-want-to-fight-for-title.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[2013 United States motorcycle Grand Prix|United States]], in which Márquez overtook Rossi in the corkscrew corner in similar fashion to what Rossi did to Casey Stoner in 2008 to win the race.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/193775/1/rossi-happy-with-third-consecutive-podium.html |title=US MotoGP: Rossi happy with third consecutive podium|date=22 July 2013|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716121032/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/193775/1/rossi-happy-with-third-consecutive-podium.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

From [[2013 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix|Indianapolis]] to [[2013 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix|San Marino]], Rossi scored four consecutive fourth places before scoring yet another third-place podium in [[2013 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix|Aragón]] after a three-way battle for the spot with Álvaro Bautista, Stefan Bradl and Cal Crutchlow.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/196369/1/rossi-hails-positive-podium-return.html |title=Aragon MotoGP: Rossi hails 'positive' podium return|date=30 September 2013|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013742/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/196369/1/rossi-hails-positive-podium-return.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rossi again finished just off the podium in the [[2013 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix|Malaysian]] round, finishing fourth but scored a final podium in the form of third place in the [[2013 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix|Australian]] round, once more battling Crutchlow and Bautista.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/197271/1/rossi-celebrates-first-flagtoflag-podium.html |title=Australian MotoGP: Rossi celebrates first flag-to-flag podium|date=21 October 2013|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716164519/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/197271/1/rossi-celebrates-first-flagtoflag-podium.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the last two rounds in [[2013 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix|Japan]] and in the [[2013 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencian Community]], he finished sixth and fourth respectively.

Rossi finished fourth in the championship with 237 points – his best result since 2010 – 97 points behind champion Marc Márquez.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/198007/1/final-2013-motogp-world-championship-standings.html |title=Final 2013 MotoGP World Championship standings|date=10 November 2013|access-date=10 November 2013|archive-date=5 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705162052/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/198007/1/final-2013-motogp-world-championship-standings.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored six podiums, including one win in Assen.

=====2014=====
{{multiple image
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In the end of the 2013 season, Rossi announced the conclusion of his long collaboration with crew chief [[Jeremy Burgess]], who was replaced by Silvano Galbusera, the former crew chief of Marco Melandri in the Superbike World Championship.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/galbusera+new+rossi+crew+chief |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111165939/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/galbusera+new+rossi+crew+chief |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 November 2013 |title=Silvano Galbusera becomes Rossi's Crew Chief|work=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=11 November 2013|access-date=7 May 2014}}</ref>

Rossi's first year since his return to Yamaha went well, and hopes for 2014 were even higher: more podiums, wins or even the illustrious tenth title all were mentioned by people. He started the season well with a second-place finish in [[2014 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix|Qatar]], storming from tenth on the grid to battle with the Honda of Márquez for the win, only to miss out on the victory on the last lap with 0.259 seconds in the line.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/201426/1/valentino-rossi-dangerous-galbusera-bet-paid-off.html |title=Qatar MotoGP: Valentino Rossi – 'Dangerous' Galbusera bet paid off|date=24 March 2014|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034305/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/201426/1/valentino-rossi-dangerous-galbusera-bet-paid-off.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the next two races, the 2014 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas and the new venue in [[2014 Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix|Argentina]], Rossi only scored points by finishing in eighth and fourth.

A better result was achieved in the fourth round of the championship in [[2014 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spain]], where he chose to use an extra-hard rear tyre that allowed him to move up to second from fourth on the grid and overtake Márquez in the end of the back straight on the first lap. Both swapped places over the remainder of the first and second laps, but Márquez pulled away in the Dry Sack corner and Rossi had to settle for second place.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/204017/1/tyre-risk-spurs-rossi-on-to-podium.html |title=Spain MotoGP: Tyre 'risk' spurs Rossi on to podium|date=5 May 2014|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716155609/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/204017/1/tyre-risk-spurs-rossi-on-to-podium.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Another second place came in France after Rossi ran wide halfway through the race, allowing Márquez to win.<ref>{{cite web |work=Crash.net |publisher=Crash Media Group |url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/204607/1/rossi-mistake-ends-marquez-victory-battle.html |title=Le Mans MotoGP: Rossi mistake ends Marquez victory battle |date=19 May 2014 |access-date=19 July 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034336/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/204607/1/rossi-mistake-ends-marquez-victory-battle.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 June 2014, Rossi appeared in his 300th Grand Prix race in the [[2014 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix|Italian]] round, where he finished in third.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/speed/motogp/300-races-later-rossis-stats-put-marquez-on-toes-entering-mugello/ |title=300 races later: Rossi's stats put Marquez on toes entering Mugello|work=Fox Sports; Fox Entertainment Group|date=28 May 2014|access-date=28 May 2014|first=Samuel|last=Reiman|archive-date=30 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530155025/http://msn.foxsports.com/speed/motogp/300-races-later-rossis-stats-put-marquez-on-toes-entering-mugello/|url-status=live}}</ref> His fourth second place came in the [[2014 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix|Catalan]] GP, leading for much of the race but ultimately losing first place to Márquez in a late stage of the race.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/06/15/marquez-wins-again-in-great-barcelona-race/164390 |title=Marquez wins again in great Barcelona race |website=Motogp.com |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418161437/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/06/15/marquez-wins-again-in-great-barcelona-race/164390 |url-status=live }}</ref> Lackluster performances followed in the [[2014 Dutch TT|Dutch]] and [[2014 German motorcycle Grand Prix|German]] rounds – fifth and fourth – until a string of third places followed in the [[2014 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix|Indianapolis]], [[2014 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix|Czech]] and [[2014 British motorcycle Grand Prix|British]] races.

In his "home race" in [[2014 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix|San Marino]], Rossi won his first race since the 2013 Dutch TT round. He started third on the grid before moving up and battling with Márquez for the lead. On lap 10, Márquez fell, which allowed Rossi to pull a gap and finish first in the line, ahead of teammate Jorge Lorenzo.<ref name="Misano2014win">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/29197067 |title=San Marino MotoGP: Valentino Rossi takes first win of the season|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915013653/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/29197067|url-status=live}}</ref> The victory pushed him past 5000 total career points, making him the first, and so far only, rider to achieve this.<ref name="SMH5000points">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/valentino-rossi-wins-san-marino-motogp-marc-marquez-crashes-20140914-10gx4b.html |title=Valentino Rossi wins San Marino MotoGP, Marc Marquez crashes|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-date=14 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914222256/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/valentino-rossi-wins-san-marino-motogp-marc-marquez-crashes-20140914-10gx4b.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In round 14 in [[2014 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix|Aragón]], Rossi qualified in sixth place and had been making progress up the order when he ran wide onto the grass – damp due to the wet conditions – and crashed heavily. He lost consciousness briefly after the crash (or as Rossi put it: "I had a little nap") and was transferred to a hospital in [[Alcañiz]] for a precautionary [[CT scan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/10/09/rossi-reflects-on-security-after-aragon-crash/165315 |title=Rossi reflects on security after Aragon crash &#124; MotoGP™ |access-date=4 December 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308014803/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/10/09/rossi-reflects-on-security-after-aragon-crash/165315 |archive-date=8 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Precautionary+scan+for+Rossi+as+he+recovers+from+Aragon+crash |title=Precautionary scan for Rossi as he recovers from Aragon crash|website=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=28 September 2014|access-date=28 December 2014|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228192503/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Precautionary+scan+for+Rossi+as+he+recovers+from+Aragon+crash|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In [[2014 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix|Australia]] Rossi took his second victory of the year. He benefitted from an accident of Marc Márquez who had been leading the race. It was Rossi's sixth win in the circuit after five consecutive wins he took from [[2001 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix|2001]] to 2005.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/209963/1/rossi-rolls-back-years-with-island-victory.html |title=MotoGP Australia: Rossi rolls back years with 'Island victory|date=19 October 2014|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716110339/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/209963/1/rossi-rolls-back-years-with-island-victory.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2014 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix|Malaysia]], another second-place finish followed when he initially took the lead halfway in the race after passing Lorenzo. Márquez passed both Lorenzo and Rossi, pulling a gap and finishing 2.445 seconds ahead of the Italian.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/29776713 |title=Malaysian MotoGP: Marc Marquez clinches record-equalling win|date=26 October 2014|access-date=22 April 2019|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418163000/https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/29776713|url-status=live}}</ref> Rossi took his first pole position since the 2010 French Grand Prix in the [[2014 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencian Community]] race, his 60th pole position in Grand Prix racing.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/159948/1/rossi-everything-working-out-except-shoulder.html |title=Rossi delighted with first 2010 pole|date=22 May 2010|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002710/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/159948/1/rossi-everything-working-out-except-shoulder.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished in second place behind Márquez in the race.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Rossi+Valencia+race+review |title=Rossi converts pole to second in race and championship|work=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=9 November 2014|access-date=15 December 2014|archive-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111012701/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2014/Rossi+Valencia+race+review|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Rossi secured second place in the championship with 295 points, trailing champion Marc Márquez by 67 points.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/210762/1/final-2014-motogp-championship-standings.html |title=Final 2014 MotoGP Championship standings|date=9 November 2014|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034455/http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/210762/1/final-2014-motogp-championship-standings.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====2015=====
[[File:Valentino rossi COTA 2015.png|thumb|Rossi during an autograph session in the [[2015 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas|2015 Grand Prix of the Americas]]]]
With a season of consistent podium finishes – including two wins in San Marino and Australia – there were once more hopes that Rossi might be able to win his tenth title this year. He started the 2015 season – his 20th in World Championship level – by taking victory in the opening race in [[2015 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix|Qatar]]; it was his first win in a season-opening race since the 2010 Qatar race. Rossi held off Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso to cross the line 0.174 seconds ahead and complete his 109th Grand Prix victory while Dovizioso's teammate [[Andrea Iannone]] finished third, completing an all-Italian podium – the first since the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/217083/1/vintage-rossi-outwits-ducati-for-qatar-glory |title=Vintage Rossi outwits Ducati for Qatar glory|date=29 March 2015|website=Crash|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927183548/https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/217083/1/vintage-rossi-outwits-ducati-for-qatar-glory|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/32109292 |title=Valentino Rossi wins season opener in Qatar|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 March 2015|access-date=5 April 2015|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017014823/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/32109292|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=MotoGP records destroyed in the desert|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/04/05/motogp-records-destroyed-in-the-desert/173124|date=5 April 2015|access-date=5 April 2015|work=motogp.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|archive-date=11 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411234637/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/04/05/motogp-records-destroyed-in-the-desert/173124|url-status=live}}</ref> In the second race in the Americas, Rossi scored his first third-place podium. He moved up into second place but couldn't match the pace of polesitter and eventual winner Marc Márquez and lost second position to Dovizioso in the late stages of the race.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/217561/1/marquez-completes-motogp-treble-in-texas |title=Marquez completes MotoGP treble in Texas|date=12 April 2015|website=Crash.net|access-date=23 April 2019|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422164330/https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/217561/1/marquez-completes-motogp-treble-in-texas|url-status=live}}</ref> His second victory of the season came in [[2015 Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix|Argentina]] where Rossi and polesitter Márquez had a clash after a battle for the lead, causing Márquez to crash out of the penultimate lap and handing Rossi the race victory. This win consolidated his championship lead, becoming the first rider to win a race using an extra-hard [[Bridgestone]] rear tyre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/217930/1/rossi-rules-as-marquez-crashes-on-penultimate-lap |title=Rossi rules as Marquez crashes on penultimate lap|date=19 April 2015|website=Crash.net|access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref>

He recorded his fourth podium finish of the year, eighth successive podium finish – and the 200th of his Grand Prix career – with a third place in [[2015 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spain]], then kept the run going with a second place in [[2015 French motorcycle Grand Prix|France]] and a third place on home soil in [[2015 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix|Italy]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lorenzo puts on master class to claim Jerez win|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/05/03/lorenzo-puts-on-master-class-to-claim-jerez-win/175051|date=3 May 2015|access-date=3 May 2015|work=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|quote=Unlike in Argentina he managed to respond to keep the Italian in bay with Rossi eventually crossing the line in third, a further six seconds back, to claim his 200th World Championship podium.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/218946/1/lorenzo-holds-off-rossi-at-le-mans.html |title=MotoGP Le Mans: Lorenzo holds off Rossi in Le Mans|date=17 May 2015|access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/05/31/lorenzo-delivers-master-class-to-make-it-three-in-a-row/176886 |title=Lorenzo delivers master class to make it three in a row|work=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=31 May 2015|access-date=31 May 2015}}</ref> In [[2015 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix|Catalunya]], Rossi finished second after a late charge on teammate and race winner Jorge Lorenzo to maintain the championship lead over his teammate by one point.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/33127468 |title=Jorge Lorenzo beats Valentino Rossi|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 June 2015|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref>

Rossi took his first pole position of the season in the [[2015 Dutch TT|Dutch]] race – his first pole since the 2014 Valencian Community round and 61st pole position in Grand Prix racing – and achieved his third victory of the season after a race-long battle with Márquez where the pair once again collided on the final corner on the last lap.<ref>{{cite news|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/220532/1/motogp-race-director-talks-rossi-marquez-incident.html |title= MotoGP Assen: Race Director talks Rossi, Marquez incident|date=28 June 2015|access-date=28 June 2015}}</ref> It was his first win from pole position since the 2009 San Marino Grand Prix and his twelfth successive podium. He also extended his championship lead to ten points over Lorenzo, who finished third.

Rossi further extended his championship lead in [[2015 German motorcycle Grand Prix|Germany]] with third and continued his podium streak with third-place finishes in [[2015 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix|Indianapolis]] and the [[2015 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix|Czech Republic]].<ref>{{cite news|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/221066/1/rossi-title-charge-is-on.html |title=MotoGP Germany: Rossi: Title charge is on|date=13 July 2015|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/221868/1/rossi-we-knew-we-had-to-suffer.html |title=MotoGP Indianapolis: Rossi: 'We knew we had to suffer'|date=9 August 2015|access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/222030/1/lorenzo-rossi-title-battle-starts-from-zero.html |title=Lorenzo, Rossi MotoGP title battle 'starts from zero'|date=16 August 2015|access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Lorenzo's win in Brno gave him the championship lead over Rossi, by virtue of more wins in that point.

Rossi regained the championship lead with his fourth victory of the year in [[2015 British motorcycle Grand Prix|Great Britain]] after Márquez – who had been chasing him for the majority of the race – crashed out in wet conditions on lap 13 while Lorenzo finished fourth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/08/30/rain-master-rossi-rules-at-silverstone/183092 |title=Rain-master Rossi rules in Silverstone|work=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=30 August 2015|access-date=30 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/222487/1/rossi-wins-dramatic-wet-british-gp |title=Rossi wins dramatic wet British GP|date=30 August 2015|website=Crash.net|access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref> The podium streak of 16 races ended with a fifth-place finish in [[2015 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix|San Marino]], but Rossi extended his championship lead to 23 points after Lorenzo crashed out.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/223017/1/rossi-wanted-to-cry-but-important-result.html |title=MotoGP Misano: Rossi 'wanted to cry', but 'important result' |date=13 September 2015|access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> Lorenzo won the [[2015 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix|Aragón]] round with Rossi finishing in third to cut the gap to fourteen points with four races remaining. The pair's results were enough for the [[Yamaha Motor Racing]] team to clinch their respective title, their first since 2010.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/223583/1/rossi-i-played-all-my-cards-and-more.html |title= MotoGP Aragon: Rossi: I played all my cards – and more|date=27 September 2015|access-date=28 September 2015}}</ref>

In [[2015 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix|Japan]], Rossi extended his championship lead to eighteen points with a second-place finish to Dani Pedrosa – his first win of the season – in drying conditions. Lorenzo had started on pole but faded to third with tyre issues.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/11/peerless-pedrosa-takes-his-50th-gp-victory-at-motegi/186727 |title=Peerless Pedrosa takes his 50th GP victory in Motegi|work=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=11 October 2015|access-date=11 October 2015|quote=Dani Pedrosa rides a superb race to take victory in the Motul Grand Prix of Japan while Rossi extends lead over Lorenzo to 18 points.}}</ref> Lorenzo then cut the lead to eleven points in [[2015 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix|Australia]] by finishing second to Rossi's fourth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121387 |title=Marc Marquez beats Jorge Lorenzo on last lap|work=Autosport|publisher=Haymarket Publications|date=18 October 2015|access-date=18 October 2015}}</ref>

Lorenzo further cut the lead to seven points after a second-place finish in [[2015 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix|Malaysia]]; Rossi finished third after a controversial collision with Márquez, in which he accrued three penalty points – enough to enforce a start from the back of the grid for the final race in the [[2015 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencian Community]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/10/25/pedrosa-wins-as-lorenzo-cuts-rossi-s-lead-to-7-points/188359 |title=Pedrosa wins as Lorenzo cuts Rossi's lead to 7 points|work=MotoGP.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=25 October 2015|access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref> Rossi accused Márquez of deliberately trying to harm his championship, something Márquez repeatedly denied.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121708 |title=Rossi: Marquez embarrassed MotoGP by helping Lorenzo win|magazine=Autosport|date=8 November 2015|access-date=11 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121712 |title=Marc Marquez 'insulted' by accusations from Valentino Rossi|magazine=Autosport|date=8 November 2015|access-date=11 November 2015}}</ref> Rossi made it up to fourth in the race but with Lorenzo winning it, he took the championship by only five points.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/34760108 |title=Jorge Lorenzo beats Valentino Rossi to win third title|date=8 November 2015|access-date=9 November 2015}}</ref>

The controversial rivalries between Rossi and Márquez appeared to end in the [[2016 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix|2016 Catalan Grand Prix]], when Rossi and Márquez shook hands in the parc ferme. However, during the [[2018 Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix|2018 Argentine Grand Prix]], controversies reared up again following some disputed maneuvers carried out by Marc Márquez before and during the race, where he tried a very risky overtake on Rossi that resulted in a crash for the latter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/argentina-motogp-crutchlow-start-confusion-marquez-rossi-penalty-1023759/1400711/ |title=Argentina MotoGP: Crutchlow wins crazy race, Marquez hits Rossi|website=Motorsport.com|date=8 April 2018 |access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref>

=====2016=====
<!-- [[File:Valentino Rossi in Losail International Circuit Qatar photo by Hanson.jpg|thumb|right|Rossi in the [[2016 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix|2016 Qatar Grand Prix]]]] -->
Before the 2016 season even began, Rossi announced that he will continue his career by keeping his contract with the Factory Yamaha team until 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/08/05/mid-season-review-valentino-rossi/205121 |title=Mid-Season Review: Valentino Rossi|website=Motogp.com|date=5 August 2016 |language=en|access-date=24 October 2018}}</ref> Yamaha announced that Rossi will ride a 2016 YZR-M1 which also includes ECU Michelin tyres new to MotoGP and all riders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/122515/yamaha-launches-2016-motogp-bike |title=Yamaha reveals Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo's 2016 MotoGP bike|last=Adam|first=Mitchell|work=Autosport.com|access-date=24 October 2018|language=en}}</ref> Expecting a difficult start to the season due to the new tyres, Rossi was able to adjust as he stated to the media in Sepang during the tests.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.motorsport.com/us/motogp/news/rossi-closer-to-the-limit-on-revised-michelin-tyres-670977/2967296/ |title=Rossi "closer to the limit" on revised Michelin tyres|access-date=24 October 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:MotoGP - Sachsenring 2016 (28651120412).jpg|thumb|right|Rossi at Sachsenring 2016]]
Rossi began the 2016 season with fourth place in Qatar, albeit just two seconds from victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/qatar-motogp-lorenzo-sees-off-ducati-threat-to-win-season-opener-681230/681230/ |title=Qatar MotoGP: Lorenzo sees off Ducati threat to win season opener|website=Motorsport.com|date=20 March 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In the next race in [[2016 Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix|Argentina]], Rossi returned to the podium with a second place behind Marc Márquez after a collision between Ducati riders Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso on the last lap allowed Rossi and Dani Pedrosa to move up, for which Iannone was penalised. The race was split into two parts similar to the 2013 Australian Grand Prix after concerns over [[Michelin]] rear tyres forced riders to make a pitstop to change bikes. Rossi had fought with Márquez for the lead in the first half of the race but fell back to fourth on his second bike before the last lap incident between the Ducatis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/04/04/marquez-clinches-victory-and-championship-lead-in-argentina/197476 |title=Marquez clinches victory and championship lead in Argentina |website=Motogp.com|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In the third round in the [[2016 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas|Americas]], Rossi suffered his first DNF since the 2014 Aragon Grand Prix, bringing an end to a run of 24 consecutive top-five finishes after crashing in the start of the third lap in turn 2 when he lost the front of his M1 mid-corner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/04/10/marquez-marches-to-fourth-austin-win-as-rossi-crashes-out/198340 |title=Marquez marches to fourth Austin win as Rossi crashes out|website=Motogp.com|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

In [[2016 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spain]], Rossi took pole position – his first since the Dutch round last year and his 52nd pole position overall – on Saturday, then led the race from start-to-finish with the exception of one corner to win. The race marked the first time in his MotoGP career that Rossi led every lap of a race from pole position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/229700/1/valentino-rossi-storms-to-pole-at-jerez |title=Valentino Rossi storms to pole in Jerez|date=23 April 2016|website=Crash.net|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-25/valentino-rossi-wins-spanish-motogp/7354540 |title=Masterful Rossi wins Spanish Grand Prix|date=25 April 2016|website=ABC News|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In the [[2016 French motorcycle Grand Prix|French]] round, Rossi started a lowly seventh on the grid but recovered in the race, overtaking both Márquez and Dovizioso in the process to finish second with the fastest lap of the race, the race being won by Yamaha teammate Lorenzo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/lorenzo-wins-the-le-mans-crashfest-vinales-makes-podium-debut-107272.html |title=Lorenzo Wins the Le Mans Crashfest, Vinales Makes Podium Debut|first=Florin|last=Tibu|date=9 May 2016|website=autoevolution|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> Rossi suffered an engine failure on his home race in [[2016 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix|Italy]] when battling Lorenzo for the lead after starting from pole position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-points-situation-very-bad-after-mugello-retirement-739405/739405/ |title=Rossi: Points situation "very bad" after Mugello retirement|website=Motorsport.com|date=22 May 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> It was Rossi's first technical failure since the 2007 San Marino Grand Prix.

Rossi bounced back in Catalunya by winning from seventh on the first lap after a late-race battle with Márquez. Rossi dedicated the victory to the family of former Moto2 rider [[Luis Salom]], who had been killed following a crash during Friday practice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/06/05/rossi-gets-revenge-in-barcelona-thriller/203160 |title=Rossi gets revenge in Barcelona thriller|website=Motogp.com|date=5 June 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> The first race held on Sunday in the [[2016 Dutch TT|Dutch]] race saw disappointment for Rossi as wet conditions saw him fall from a comfortable lead in a restarted race following a red flag in torrential conditions. Assuming the lead in the second race, Rossi set the fastest lap and continued to push before crashing due to what he called a "stupid mistake".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/06/26/miller-walks-on-water-for-miraculous-first-win/204529 |title=Miller walks on water for miraculous first win|website=Motogp.com|date=26 June 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> More rain in the [[2016 German motorcycle Grand Prix|German]] round saw Rossi in contention for victory again. However, a delayed decision to change bikes in the drying conditions, combined with using intermediate tyres instead of slicks like Márquez, saw him come home eighth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/07/17/marquez-wins-big-with-tyre-gamble-in-germany/205827 |title=Marquez wins big with tyre gamble in Germany|website=Motogp.com|date=17 July 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

After the summer break, MotoGP's return to [[2016 Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix|Austria]] for the first time since 1997 saw the Factory Ducati riders dominate for a 1–2 finish, Rossi coming home a close fourth behind Jorge Lorenzo. Another wet race in the [[2016 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix|Czech Republic]] saw Rossi go against the majority of the field in choosing the harder rear wet tyre. Initially it seemed an error as he fell from 6th to 12th but he recovered throughout the race to finish second to Cal Crutchlow.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/232960/1/crutchlow-masters-wet-for-brno-victory |title=Crutchlow masters wet for Brno victory|date=21 August 2016|website=Crash.net|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> [[2016 British motorcycle Grand Prix|Great Britain]] saw Rossi line up second on the grid behind pole-sitter Crutchlow and following an intense battle with Márquez, eventually finishing third behind Crutchlow and first-time race winner [[Maverick Viñales]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/09/04/maverick-rules-silverstone-for-a-stunning-maiden-win/209508 |title=Maverick rules Silverstone for a stunning maiden win|website=Motogp.com|date=4 September 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> A week later Rossi finished second in his "home race" in [[2016 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix|San Marino]]. After leading for the majority of the race he was overhauled by Dani Pedrosa in the closing laps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/09/11/pedrosa-writes-another-chapter-of-history-in-misano/210672 |title=Pedrosa writes another chapter of history in Misano|website=Motogp.com|date=11 September 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> Rossi again led for a period in [[2016 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix|Aragón]] before eventually finishing third.

The flyaway races began badly for Rossi after he crashed out of second place in [[2016 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix|Japan]], having started from pole. Victory for Márquez saw the Spaniard crowned champion with three races remaining.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/10/16/rossi-on-motegi-crash-i-m-ok-but-it-s-a-shame/213169 |title=Rossi on Motegi crash: "I'm ok – but it's a shame"|website=Motogp.com|date=16 October 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> Rossi started in fifteenth spot in the [[2016 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix|Australian]] race after a rain affected qualifying but recovered to finish second in the race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/10/23/crutchlow-blitzes-phillip-island-for-win-number-2/213971 |title=Crutchlow blitzes Phillip Island for win number 2|website=Motogp.com|date=23 October 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> Rossi secured second place once more in wet conditions in [[2016 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix|Malaysia]] behind Andrea Dovizioso having again led for periods of the race, the result securing second place in the championship for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/10/30/dovioncloud9-dovizioso-storms-sepang-as-9th-winner-of-2016/215058 |title=#DoviOnCloud9: Dovizioso storms Sepang as 9th winner of 2016|website=Motogp.com|date=30 October 2016 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> The season concluded in the same fashion as 2015 did, with fourth place in [[2016 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencia]] after a long battle with Iannone.

Rossi finished second in the championship with 249 points, 49 points behind champion Marc Márquez.

=====2017=====
<!-- [[File:Italian professional motorcycle racer and multiple MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi in action in the day 1 of Qatar test in the Losail International Circuit. (33220830442).jpg|thumb|right|Rossi in the 2017 Qatar tests in the [[Losail International Circuit]]]] -->
[[File:MotoGP - Sachsenring 2017 (35773770456).jpg|thumb|right|Rossi at Sachsenring 2017]]
Rossi suffered a difficult winter testing period for the 2017 season, often lagging behind new teammate Maverick Viñales after suffering with a new, softer construction Michelin front tyre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/analysis-what-we-learned-from-the-qatar-motogp-test-882939/882939/ |title=MotoGP 2017: What we learned from Qatar testing|website=Motorsport.com|date=15 March 2017 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

For the season opener in [[2017 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix|Qatar]] however, he appeared to make a breakthrough, moving from tenth on the grid to finish third.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/03/26/desert-stormed-vinales-draws-first-blood-in-2017/222368 |title=Desert stormed: Viñales draws first blood in 2017|website=Motogp.com|date=26 March 2017 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> Rossi continued his improvement by taking back-to-back second place podiums in [[2017 Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix|Argentina]] after a battle with Cal Crutchlow for second place and the [[2017 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas|Americas]] to take the lead of the championship after three races by six points.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/39548579 |title=Argentina MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow third as Maverick Vinales wins again|date=9 April 2017|access-date=23 April 2019|publisher=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622191710/https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/39548579 |archive-date=22 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/04/23/five-by-five-magic-for-marquez-and-a-crash-for-vinales/226149 |title=Five by five: magic for Marquez and a crash for Viñales|website=Motogp.com|date=23 April 2017 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

The European season began disappointingly with a lowly tenth position in the [[2017 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spanish]] round whilst Honda rider Dani Pedrosa won the race from pole.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/39837605 |title=Spanish MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa wins with championship leader Valentino Rossi in 10th|date=7 May 2017|access-date=23 April 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> In the next race in [[2017 French motorcycle Grand Prix|France]], Rossi crashed out of the race on the last lap while battling with teammate Viñales for the win. Rossi also lost the championship lead after the race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/05/21/showdown-at-le-mans-vinales-vs-rossi-in-the-frenchgp/229072 |title=Showdown in Le Mans: Viñales vs Rossi in the #FrenchGP|website=Motogp.com|date=21 May 2017 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> Following the French round, Rossi suffered a motocross training crash and had mild thoracic and abdominal trauma, but no fractures were detected in any part of the body and no serious traumatic pathologies were found.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sailing/2017/05/26/valentino-rossi-injured-motocross-accident/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sailing/2017/05/26/valentino-rossi-injured-motocross-accident/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Valentino Rossi injured in motocross accident|first=Telegraph|last=Sport|date=26 May 2017|access-date=23 April 2019|newspaper=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> This crash initially threatened his participation in Mugello, but ultimately he passed a late fitness test and was deemed fit to race.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-motor-motogp-rossi-idUSKBN18M1D4 |title=Rossi leaves hospital after motocross accident|date=26 May 2017|access-date=23 April 2019|website=Reuters.com}}</ref> In his home race in [[2017 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix|Italy]], Rossi finished just off the podium in fourth, blaming his lack of energy due to his motocross training crash a week earlier which prevented him from scoring said podium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-mugello-podium-motogp-physical-condition-injury-914357/914357/ |title=Valentino Rossi: 'Physical condition" cost me Mugello MotoGP podium|website=Motorsport.com|date=4 June 2017 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> A week later in [[2017 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix|Catalunya]], both Yamaha riders struggled as they did in Jerez in the hot conditions with Rossi and Viñales only able to finish eighth and tenth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/06/11/dovizioso-doubles-up-italian-takes-second-win-in-a-week/231502 |title=Dovizioso doubles up: Italian takes second win in a week|website=Motogp.com|date=11 June 2017 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

Tests of a new chassis after the Catalan race were positive and saw Rossi take his first and only win of the season in the Dutch round after a late-race battle with the Pramac Ducati of [[Danilo Petrucci]], who ran slick tyres on a damp track, the older Italian prevailing by just 0.063 seconds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/moto/netherlands-grand-prix/2017/valentino-rossi-records-10th-win-at-assen-with-first-victory-of-the-season_sto6230073/story.shtml |title=Valentino Rossi records 10th win in Assen with first victory of the season|date=25 June 2017|website=Eurosport|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> The result also made Rossi the oldest race winner in the MotoGP era, surpassing Troy Bayliss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lpmcc.net/sport/race_motogp_rossi.htm |title=Valentino Rossi|website=Lpmcc.net}}</ref> After his win in Assen, Rossi underperformed in the next three rounds in [[2017 German motorcycle Grand Prix|Germany]], the [[2017 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix|Czech Republic]] and [[2017 Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix|Austria]], finishing in fifth, fourth and seventh positions.

Rossi returned on the podium in [[2017 British motorcycle Grand Prix|Great Britain]], leading for much of the race but ultimately having to concede the win to Dovizioso and second to Viñales with three laps to go.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/08/27/dovizioso-stuns-silverstone-to-retake-the-championship-lead/238345 |title=Dovizioso stuns Silverstone to retake the Championship lead|website=Motogp.com|date=27 August 2017 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> After the race in Silverstone, Rossi suffered another motocross crash in late August where he suffered displaced fractures of the tibia and [[fibula]] of his right leg. He suffered these injuries on the same leg that he previously broke in his high-speed crash in Mugello in 2010 and put him out of contention, requiring surgery and missing his "home race" in [[2017 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix|San Marino]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-hospitalised-after-motocross-crash-947520/3043623/ |title=Rossi suffers leg fractures in serious motocross crash|website=Motorsport.com|access-date=23 April 2019|archive-date=23 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423083602/https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-hospitalised-after-motocross-crash-947520/3043623/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/881807/1/rossi-to-miss-misano-motogp-no-replacement |title=Rossi to miss Misano MotoGP, no replacement|date=4 September 2017|website=Crash.net|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/881827/1/rossi-saddened-to-miss-very-special-race |title=Rossi saddened to miss 'very special' race|date=6 September 2017|website=Crash.net|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

After missing out on the race in Misano, Rossi returned in Aragón to finish an impressive fifth after lining up in the front row of the grid on Saturday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rivals-laud-injured-rossi-aragon-run-957453/3048379/ |title=Rivals laud injured Rossi's 'incredible' Aragon performance|website=Motorsport.com|date=25 September 2017 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In [[2017 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix|Japan]], he had his second retirement of the season after he crashed in the wet conditions early in the race.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/41626701 |title=MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso wins in Japan to cut Marc Marquez lead|date=15 October 2017|access-date=23 April 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> In the [[2017 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix|Australian]] GP, Rossi scored his final podium of the season by finishing in second place, fighting hard with Tech 3 Yamaha rider [[Johann Zarco]] and finishing ahead of teammate Viñales by just 0.016 seconds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/australian-motogp-marquez-wins-at-phillip-island-to-extend-title-lead-20171022-gz5w8t.html |title=Australian MotoGP: Marquez wins in Phillip Island to extend title lead|first=Matt|last=Clayton|date=22 October 2017|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> Rossi finished the season with disappointing results in the [[2017 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix|Malaysian]] and [[2017 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencian Community]] rounds, only being able to score seventh and fifth.

Rossi finished fifth in the championship with 208 points – his lowest position since his final season with Ducati in 2012 – 90 points behind champion Marc Márquez.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/2017/VAL/MotoGP/World+Standing |title=motogp.com · MotoGP World Standing 2017|website=Motogp.com|access-date=23 April 2019|archive-date=23 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423083600/http://www.motogp.com/en/Results%2BStatistics/2017/VAL/MotoGP/World%2BStanding|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=====2018=====
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Before the start of the season-opening race in Qatar, Rossi announced he had extended his contract in the Factory Yamaha team until 2020, when he will be 41 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/891552/1/valentino-rossi-resigns-yamaha |title=Valentino Rossi re-signs for Yamaha|date=15 March 2018|website=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/03/15/rossi-signs-new-two-year-deal-with-movistar-yamaha/251856 |title=Rossi signs new two-year deal with Movistar Yamaha|website=motogp.com|date=15 March 2018 }}</ref>

During the pre-season tests, Rossi and Viñales once again struggled with their 2018 Yamaha YZR-M1 competitor. Both riders were concerned about corner-entry and corner-exit issues as well as the lack of traction and tyre temperature.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/motogp/whats-going-yamaha |title=What's going on in Yamaha?|date=20 February 2018|website=Motor Sport Magazine|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

In the first round in [[2018 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix|Qatar]], Rossi started off well by getting a first podium of the season in the form of third place. He had a good start from eighth on the grid to move up to fourth on the opening lap, overtook the Honda of Dani Pedrosa on the second lap and made his move on the other Honda of Marc Márquez with 17 laps to go. However, he went wide in turn one on lap 11 and allowed Márquez and Andrea Dovizioso past. With five laps to go, Rossi muscled his way past the Tech 3 Yamaha of Johann Zarco but eventually couldn't get close enough and crossed the line 0.797 seconds behind eventual race winner Dovizioso.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rtrsports.co.uk/blog/rossi-qatar-2018/ |title=Rossi in the Gp of Qatar 2018, Valentino Rossi landed podium in Losail|date=19 March 2018|website=Rtrsports.co.uk|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In Argentina, Rossi finished outside of the points in nineteenth place after a collision with the Honda of Márquez, who was storming through the field after starting from the back, when his bike stalled as a result of the crash. Márquez went up the inside of multiple riders, clashing with the Aprilia of [[Aleix Espargaró]] first and later with Rossi. When the Spaniard misjudged the braking point, he forced Rossi to go wide, making him clip the grass and fall in the process. Rossi eventually got going again, but failed to score any points afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/04/08/crutchlow-on-top-as-the-title-fight-explodes-in-argentina/254628 |title=Crutchlow on top as the title fight explodes in Argentina|website=Motogp.com|date=8 April 2018 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> After the race, Rossi accused Márquez of "destroying our sport" because he "doesn't have any respect for his rivals" and Márquez received a 30-second penalty for the action.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/moto/gp-argentina/2018/valentino-rossi-marc-marquez-has-destroyed-our-sport_sto6706924/story.shtml |title=Valentino Rossi: Marc Marquez has 'destroyed our sport'|date=9 April 2018|website=Eurosport UK|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In the following rounds in the [[2018 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas|Americas]] and [[2018 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spain]], Rossi finished off the podium twice in fourth and fifth place, but he bounced back by scoring three consecutive third-place podiums in the [[2018 French motorcycle Grand Prix|French]], [[2018 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix|Italian]] and [[2018 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix|Catalan]] rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rtrsports.co.uk/blog/valentino-rossi-le-mans/ |title=2018 MotoGP: untamable Rossi takes LeMans podium|date=21 May 2018|website=Rtrsports.co.uk|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/mugello-race-report-lorenzo-marquez-rossi-1044213/3115123/ |title=Mugello MotoGP: Lorenzo gets first Ducati win, Marquez crashes|website=Motorsport.com|date=3 June 2018 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/06/17/mr-consistent-rossi-continues-podium-streak-in-barcelona/262876 |title=Mr consistent: Rossi continues podium streak in Barcelona|website=Motogp.com|date=17 June 2018 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In Mugello, he scored his first and only pole position of the season – his first since the 2016 Japanese GP and his 51st MotoGP pole position overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/897437/1/rossi-surprised-mugello-pole-gains-something-old |title=Rossi surprised by Mugello pole with gains from 'something old'|date=2 June 2018|website=Crash.net|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

Rossi only finished fifth in the [[2018 Dutch TT|Dutch]] round but managed to score his first and only second place of the season in [[2018 German motorcycle Grand Prix|Germany]], 2.196 seconds behind winner Márquez, claiming he finished so high on a track that usually doesn't suit the Yamaha's because he "studied everything" from the then-absent [[Jonas Folger]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-studied-folger-race-sachsenring-vinales-1060335/3141931/ |title=Rossi 'studied everything' from Folger's 2017 race|website=Motorsport.com|date=15 July 2018 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> After his podium finish in the Sachsenring, Rossi finished off the podium again in the [[2018 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix|Czech Republic]] and [[2018 Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix|Austria]] races in fourth and sixth place.

With the race in [[2018 British motorcycle Grand Prix|Great Britain]] cancelled due to heavy rain which failed to drain properly on the newly repaved Silverstone surface, Rossi failed to finish on the podium for five consecutive races.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/08/26/silverstone-cancellation-sunday-s-order-of-events/269747 |title=Silverstone cancellation: Sunday's order of events|website=Motogp.com|date=26 August 2018 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> He finished the San Marino race in seventh, the [[2018 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix|Aragón]] race in eighth, the [[2018 Thailand motorcycle Grand Prix|Thai]] and Japanese races in fourth and the [[2018 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix|Australian]] race in sixth.

Rossi's best chance in a victory came in the penultimate round of the season in [[2018 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix|Malaysia]]. He took the lead going into the first corner from P2 after poleman Zarco made a poor start and built up a gap, but Márquez stormed up through the field and the gap between them was 1.1 seconds with ten laps to go. Rossi pushed hard to keep the gap above 1 second but Márquez dipped below to 0.7 seconds with five laps to go. Many were preparing for a Rossi-Márquez battle when Rossi lost the front of his M1 bike with four laps to go in turn 1. Márquez won the race, with Rossi remounting and finishing nineteenth, outside the points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2018/11/04/marquez-wins-in-malaysia-as-rossi-crashes-out-of-the-lead/277811 |title=Marquez wins in Malaysia as Rossi crashes out of the lead|website=Motogp.com|date=4 November 2018 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In the [[2018 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencian Community]] round, Rossi moved up the order from sixteenth on the grid in the wet conditions, being helped by some of the front runners crashing out in the ever-worsening conditions. When the race was stopped, Rossi was forced to use a used rear tyre, which he claimed "made the difference" as he was "more in trouble with the rear". As the race restarted, Rossi crashed out of second place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/910722/1/rossi-valencia-crash-st-emotion |title=Rossi on Valencia crash: A s**t emotion|date=19 November 2018|website=Crash.net|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

Rossi finished third in the championship with 198 points, 123 points behind champion Marc Márquez. This was Rossi's first winless season since 2012 when he raced with Ducati and his first ever winless season with the Factory Yamaha team.

=====2019=====
[[File:Valentino Rossi leads the pack 2019 Phillip Island.jpeg|thumb|right|Valentino Rossi leads the pack [[2019 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix|2019 Phillip Island]]]]
During the pre-season tests, both Yamaha riders had mixed feelings of the 2019 YZR-M1. There were signs that showed that some of the problems, such as the lack of traction and degradation of the tyres, were less of an issue this year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepitcrewonline.net/2019/02/10/motogp-sepang-test-ducati-fastest-yamaha-improving-suzuki-contending-marquez-hiding/ |title=MotoGP Sepang Test: Ducati Fastest, Yamaha Improving, Suzuki Contending, Marquez Hiding|first=Alex|last=Whitworth|date=10 February 2019|website=Thepitcrewonline.net|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> However, in the Sepang tests, Rossi said he was only "half-happy" with the results, claiming, "some things worked well and we improved our performance, other things from which we expected a lot unfortunately didn't bring us what we need."

In the opening round in [[2019 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix|Qatar]], Rossi lined up fourteenth on the grid on Saturday but stormed through the field to finish in fifth in the line, +0.600 seconds behind race winner Andrea Dovizioso.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2019/03/10/rossi-s-sunday-recovery-p14-to-p5/286453 |title=Rossi's Sunday recovery: P14 to P5|website=Motogp.com|date=10 March 2019 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In the next race in [[2019 Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix|Argentina]], he rode a strong race where he battled with the Ducati of Dovizioso, overtaking him on the last lap to finish second, his first podium since the 2018 German round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2019/03/31/rossi-makes-long-awaited-rostrum-return-in-argentina/288205 |title=Rossi makes long awaited rostrum return in Argentina|website=Motogp.com|date=31 March 2019 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-podium-happy-dovizioso-argentina/4362646/ |title=Rossi rode 'like when I was young' in Argentina race|website=Motorsport.com|date=31 March 2019 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> In the third round in the [[2019 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas|Americas]], Rossi again finished second after Marc Márquez crashed out of the race and Rossi was overtaken by the Suzuki of [[Álex Rins]] with four laps to go. Eventually, Rins crossed the line 0.462 seconds ahead of Rossi to win his first ever MotoGP race.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-rins-better-austin-showdown/4371009/ |title=Rossi: Rins was "better than me" in Austin showdown|website=Motorsport.com|date=14 April 2019 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> After the good results in Argentina and the U.S., Rossi only managed to finish in sixth and fifth place in [[2019 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spain]] and [[2019 French motorcycle Grand Prix|France]].

In the next three rounds, Rossi registered three consecutive retirements – for the first time in his career. In [[2019 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix|Italy]], he crashed out after clipping the back of Joan Mir's Suzuki and ran across the gravel in Turn 4. He recovered and tried to regain the lost ground but eventually slid off again in the high-speed Arrabiata 2 corner to register his first DNF since the 2017 Japanese race.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/921688/1/petrucci-powers-maiden-motogp-win-mugello-thriller |title=Petrucci powers to maiden MotoGP win in Mugello thriller|date=2 June 2019|website=Crash}}</ref> In [[2019 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix|Catalunya]], Rossi – despite qualifying well on Saturday in fifth – was again forced to retire after an error by Jorge Lorenzo on lap 2 led to a freak accident in which Lorenzo, Rossi, teammate Viñales and Andrea Dovizioso were all involved. When Lorenzo tried to dive down the inside of Dovizioso in Turn 10, he lost the bike and collected Dovizioso, which in turn took out Viñales. Rossi was forced to go wide and initially survived a minor hit of Lorenzo's stricken bike, only to hit it again and fall onto the tarmac this time. The bike was damaged as a result and Rossi was unable to continue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/922569/1/quartararo-storms-catalunya-motogp-pole-yamaha-returns-form |title=Quartararo storms to Catalunya MotoGP pole as Yamaha returns to form|date=15 June 2019|website=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/923128/1/marquez-wins-catalunya-motogp-after-lorenzo-takes-out-dovi-yamahas |title=Marquez wins Catalunya MotoGP after Lorenzo takes out Dovi, Yamahas|date=16 June 2019|website=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2019/06/16/marquez-capitalises-to-win-dramatic-catalan-gp/296848 |title=Marquez capitalises to win dramatic Catalan GP|website=motogp.com|date=16 June 2019 }}</ref> In the [[2019 Dutch TT|Netherlands]], Rossi registered his third DNF when he crashed and took out [[Takaaki Nakagami]] in Turn 8 on lap 4, the race being won by his teammate Viñales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/924537/1/vinales-fends-marquez-assen-triumph |title=Vinales fends off Marquez for Assen triumph|date=30 June 2019|website=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2019/06/30/vinales-unstoppable-as-he-strides-to-assen-victory/299099 |title=Viñales unstoppable as he strides to Assen victory|website=motogp.com|date=30 June 2019 }}</ref>

After these disastrous results, the next races went better for him. In the [[2019 German motorcycle Grand Prix|German]] and [[2019 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix|Czech]] rounds, Rossi managed to score an eighth and sixth place. He then scored three consecutive fourth places in [[2019 Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix|Austria]], which was the scene of the dramatic last-lap battle between Dovizioso and Màrquez, [[2019 British motorcycle Grand Prix|Great Britain]] and his home race in [[2019 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix|San Marino]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/927401/1/dovizioso-stuns-marquez-defend-ducati-s-austrian-motogp-record |title=Dovizioso stuns Marquez to defend Ducati's Austrian MotoGP record|date=11 August 2019|website=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2019/08/11/dovi-beats-marquez-at-the-final-corner-to-win-austria-epic/304594 |title=Dovi beats Marquez in the final corner to win Austria epic|website=motogp.com|date=11 August 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/929296/1/marquez-leaves-it-late-beat-quarataro-misano-victory |title=Marquez leaves it late to beat Quarataro to Misano victory|date=15 September 2019|website=Crash}}</ref> Two eighth-place finishes followed for the Italian in [[2019 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix|Aragón]] and [[2019 Thailand motorcycle Grand Prix|Thailand]].

In [[2019 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix|Japan]], Rossi had another retirement. He crashed out of a lowly eleventh place in Turn 1 with four laps to go. This was Rossi's fourth DNF of the season, equalling his [[1998 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1998 season]] and the highest number of his MotoGP career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/931826/1/marquez-control-japanese-motogp-victory |title=Marquez in control for Japanese MotoGP victory|date=20 October 2019|website=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2019/10/20/marquez-wins-to-clinch-manufacturers-title-for-honda/314106 |title=Marquez wins to clinch manufacturers title for Honda|website=motogp.com|date=20 October 2019 }}</ref> Rossi ended the season only being able to score points: he finished in eighth place in Australia, fourth place in [[2019 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix|Malaysia]] – narrowly losing out on the podium but taking the fastest lap of the race – and eighth again in [[2019 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencia]].

Rossi finished seventh in the championship with 174 points, 246 points behind champion Marc Márquez. This was Rossi's lowest championship position since 2011 when he raced for Ducati and marked his second winless season.

=====2020=====
[[File:Yamaha MotoGP factory rider Valentino Rossi.jpg|thumb|Rossi in the MotoGP winter tests 2020 in Qatar]]
In October 2019, Rossi announced he would be changing his crew chief. Silvano Galbusera, who has been Rossi's crew chief since 2014, will be replaced by David Muñoz for the 2020 season. The reason stated for this change was because of the poor results Rossi obtained during the 2019 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/930561/1/rossi-change-yamaha-crew-chief-2020 |title=Rossi to change Yamaha crew chief for 2020|date=3 October 2019|website=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-galbusera-split-munoz-yamaha/4552351/ |title=Rossi names reasons behind Galbusera split|website=motorsport.com|date=4 October 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/935157/1/rossi-munoz-new-generation-chief-mechanic |title=Rossi: Munoz 'new generation' of chief mechanic|date=18 December 2019|website=Crash}}</ref>

Rossi's future in the factory Yamaha team was uncertain after the rather poor results he had obtained the previous year. His initial plan was to wait for a handful of races in 2020 to see how competitive he still is because he has not won a race since 2017 and because of his lackluster 2019 season. However, because of the outbreak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and subsequent delay of the start of the season, Rossi did not get the five or six races he hoped for.<ref name="auto7">{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/04/25/i-hope-to-continue-in-2021-rossi-on-his-motogp-future/329756 |title="I hope to continue in 2021" – Rossi on his MotoGP™ future|website=motogp.com|date=25 April 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/939420/1/rossi-finally-we-can-enjoy-motogp-again |title=Rossi: Finally we can enjoy MotoGP again!|date=14 July 2020|website=Crash}}</ref> The team had asked him in the beginning of the year to make a decision regarding his future for reasons dictated by the riders' market, but ended the negotiations after his decision and chose [[Fabio Quartararo]] to line up beside Viñales for the 2021 season.<ref name="auto8">{{cite web|url=https://www.visordown.com/news/racing/motogp/official-valentino-rossi-exit-yamaha-factory-end-2020-motogp |title=OFFICIAL: Valentino Rossi to exit Yamaha factory in end of 2020 MotoGP |first1=Ollie |last1=Barstow |date=29 January 2020 |website=Visordown}}</ref> This has left Rossi with a vacant seat but Yamaha's Lin Jarvis has already said that the team wants to supply him with a full factory bike and support.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-explains-yamaha-decision-answers/4678123/ |title=Rossi explains why he didn't commit to early Yamaha deal|website=motorsport.com|date=29 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/01/29/quartararo-joins-vinales-at-factory-yamaha-for-2021-2022/322667 |title=Quartararo joins Viñales in factory Yamaha for 2021–2022|website=motogp.com|date=29 January 2020 }}</ref> In July 2020, Rossi said that he is "99% certain" he will ride for the SIC Racing Team even though no contract has been signed yet, and that he'll make the decision either in August or September 2020.<ref name="auto9">{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/07/15/rossi-99-certain-he-will-ride-for-petronas-yamaha-in-2021/333289 |title=Rossi "99% certain" he will ride for Petronas Yamaha in 2021|website=motogp.com|date=15 July 2020 }}</ref> Rossi has also said he wants to continue racing in 2021, but that both he and SIC team boss Razlan Razali had doubts after the poor weekend in [[2020 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spain]].<ref name="auto7"/><ref name="auto8"/> However, after Rossi's podium in the second race in [[2020 Andalusian motorcycle Grand Prix|Andalucia]], these doubts were put to rest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-podium-removed-doubts-over-2021-decision-srt/4845748/ |title=MotoGP news: Valentino Rossi podium removed Petronas doubts|website=motorsport.com|date=29 July 2020 }}</ref>

In the pre-season tests, the 2020 Yamaha YZR-M1 had improved considerably compared to the 2019 counterpart. The new engine had fixed most of the deficit that the riders suffered from in 2018 and 2019 and the handling was improved as well thanks to an updated chassis. Both the Factory as well as the SIC satellite riders were happy with the feeling of this year's bike and Rossi said that the bike has "a very good feeling" but that he personally worries he'll struggle with the tyres after around five to six laps and is disappointed the Yamaha is still losing out to the competitors on the straights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/02/26/yamaha-take-2020-preseason-testing-clean-sweep/325975 |title=Yamaha take 2020 preseason testing clean sweep|website=motogp.com|date=26 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/valentino-rossi-worried-2020-yamaha/4694858/ |title=Rossi "worried" about 2020 Yamaha's race pace|website=motorsport.com|date=24 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/02/24/rossi-i-feel-good-with-the-bike/325888 |title=Rossi: "I feel good with the bike"|website=motogp.com|date=24 February 2020 }}</ref> He also commented that the updated Michelin tyres suit the bike, as well as his riding style, a lot more compared to last year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visordown.com/news/racing/motogp/valentino-rossi-%E2%80%98competitive%E2%80%99-yamaha-losing-free-time-straights |title=Valentino Rossi 'competitive' but Yamaha losing free time on straights |first1=Ollie |last1=Barstow |date=11 February 2020 |website=Visordown}}</ref>

Rossi's first race was supposed to start in [[2020 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix|Qatar]] but was cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. After a three-month delay, the season finally got underway in Spain. In this race, Rossi was in tenth position before retiring with technical problems. The race was won by satellite rider Quartararo for the first time in his MotoGP career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/940098/1/quartararo-storms-spanish-motogp-win-marquez-crashes-heavily |title=Quartararo storms to Spanish MotoGP win, Marquez crashes heavily|date=19 July 2020|website=Crash}}</ref> In the same venue one week later in Andalucia, the Italian took his first podium since Austin. After qualifying in a strong fourth on Saturday, Rossi found himself in a fierce battle for second place with teammate Maverick Viñales after multiple riders either crashed out or had technical issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2020/07/25/pole-again-for-quartararo-as-vinales-has-lap-cancelled/335605 |title=Pole again for Quartararo as Viñales has lap cancelled|website=motogp.com|date=25 July 2020 }}</ref> Eventually, after outbraking himself, he lost second to Viñales but came home third to pick up his 199th podium in his motorcycle racing career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/940646/1/quartararo-secures-backtoback-motogp-wins-yamaha-123 |title=Quartararo secures back-to-back MotoGP wins in Yamaha 1–2–3|date=26 July 2020|website=Crash}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/940648/1/rossi-proves-himself-wrong-bounce-back-timely-jerez-podium |title=Rossi proves himself wrong to bounce back with timely Jerez podium|date=26 July 2020|website=Crash}}</ref> In the following two rounds in the [[2020 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix|Czech Republic]] and [[2020 Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix|Austria]], he came home in fifth place but only managed to come home ninth in the [[2020 Styrian motorcycle Grand Prix|Styrian]] GP. Following a fourth place in the first race in his home Grand Prix in Misano, Rossi had three consecutive retirements, crashing out in the early stages of the second race in Misano and Le Mans, and while challenging Quartararo for a potential race win in Barcelona.

On 15 October 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19, which forced him to miss the [[2020 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix|Aragon]] and [[2020 Teruel motorcycle Grand Prix|Teruel]] GP's.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 October 2020 |title=Valentino Rossi tests positive for Covid-19, will miss Aragon GP|url=https://www.eurosport.com/moto/valentino-rossi-tests-positive-for-covid-19-will-miss-aragon-gp_sto7951494/story.shtml|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Eurosport|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=15 October 2020 |title=Rossi tests positive for COVID-19, to miss Aragon MotoGP|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-motor-motogp-aragon-rossi-idUKKBN2702LY|access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=MotoGP News: Rossi to miss Aragon GP with COVID-19|url=https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-miss-aragon-gp-positive-covid-19-test/4892343/?ic_source=home-page-widget&ic_medium=widget&ic_campaign=widget-1|access-date=15 October 2020|website=motorsport.com| date=15 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Six members of the factory Yamaha team were quarantined as one member had already tested positive earlier in October 2020.<ref>[https://the-race.com/motogp/six-yamaha-motogp-staff-in-covid-quarantine/ Six Yamaha MotoGP staff in COVID quarantine] the-race.com, 8 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020</ref><ref>[https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/946406/1/valentino-rossi-ruled-out-aragon-motogp-positive-covid-test Valentino Rossi ruled out of Aragon MotoGP after positive Covid test] crash.net, 15 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020</ref> Having recovered from COVID-19, Rossi raced in the European GP but retired. On 12 November, Rossi tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time. However, further tests confirmed that the previous test was a false positive and he was allowed to participate in the final two races of the season.