Valentino (Rossi) and Valencia

We recently took a trip to Valencia, Spain – to watch Valentino Rossi’s last ride with MotoGP.

That sentence may have a lot of information that makes no sense to you. Let me fill in the gaps.

MotoGP means motorcycle grand prix. It is a series of motorcycle races held on tracks around the world. George is a huge MotoGP fan and has gotten me hooked on it as well. It feels somehow less violent a pursuit than American football with shockingly fewer major injuries. It is man and machine against himself, others, the track, and the elements. It is both simple and complex – which I find very appealing.

Who is Valentino Rossi?

Valentino Rossi is, as his name hints, an Italian. He’s also an amazing motorcycle racer who just ended a 26 year career in MotoGP. In a sport that favors young, agile men, Valentino is extremely long in the tooth at 42. He is beloved around the world, not only for his winning record and history of impressive accomplishments, but also for being a really nice and decent person. He identifies and mentors other young riders to help them achieve their dreams. Upon retirement, he is going to field a MotoGP team (each team consists of two riders) and hopefully continue to be a regular fixture in the paddock.

Why Should You Care?

So maybe you’re not the least bit interested in motorcycle racing – and least of all a rider whose career just ended. Fair enough. I won’t judge you. But I think the most interesting thing about – just about anything – are the messages and meanings we can takeaway. I am a latecomer to the sport and certainly had no aspirations about being a professional MotoGP racer. What can I possibly learn from Valentino Rossi’s career?

I’ll offer up a few that come to top of mind.

How do our own lives look in retrospect?

We may have many more years before we retire – and certainly our lives are more than just our jobs. While what’s done is done, if we imagine our lives being reviewed for past accomplishments, are we proud of what we see?

If the answer is a tepid maybe or NO, then good news. There is no better time to address it than the present. What do you want your life to look like when you look back? Go live that life now! Make it happen.

I love a good kick in the butt!
How do we address competition?

Valentino faced stiff competition to get where he was and to stay on top as long as he did. Sure he had natural talent on his side, but trust me, talent only takes you so far. This is a man who put in consistent work to stay on top of his game. Do you put that effort in? Do I?

He also helped the young men who will eventually replace him. That’s grace and dignity in its best form. You can’t stay on top forever. It’s simply not possible. So how graceful will we be in accepting and embracing the next generation that inevitably replaces us?
How do we handle success and defeat?

Win well but be gracious and share the win. Lose graciously and let it fuel your own improvement. Valentino was not a person who liked to lose. Who LIKES to lose? But he was always measured about his losses. He would praise his competition, be fair and objective about his own performance, and identify things he would work on between races. And then he seemed to shrug it off. He didn’t hold onto the loss. That will cost you wins down the road. He found his lesson and then let it go.
Always look forward

It’s been clear for many years that Valentino Rossi isn’t short-sighted. He has carefully built a world for himself post-racing. That’s hard for many high achievers. If you fail to anticipate the next step, then you lose the opportunity to shape it. If you look out across your life and assess it objectively, you know that it’s important to be prepared for the next step. In the case of Valentino, it’s merchandising lines, a racing team, a stable of up and coming talented riders riding under the Sky Vale46 flag. He also has other businesses that he’s built up. In other words, he supports others and diversifies his own interests. That’s a pretty great lesson.
Smile for your fans

Okay – you might think this only applies to famous people. But think about the Hollywood tension between paparazzi and celebrities. There is a love:hate tension. And granted, Valentino may be excellent at putting on a show when he’s at the track. But that’s important. If you recognize there are people who support you, then take the time to smile for them. They are important and a simple smile includes them in both your wins and your losses.

And if you feel like you don’t have any fans – then go to a mirror and smile for yourself. And if the first thing that goes through your head is “I’m not a fan” – then just STOP.

That’s the first thing you should always be – your own #1 fan!

I find Valentino’s career, accomplishments, and approach to life inspiring. I personally find a lot to admire and emulate. I hope that at the end of my career, my fans cheer as loudly as his do. I love the idea of people from all walks of life being brought together internationally to celebrate a united thing. In a world filled with division, that is a beautiful thing indeed.

And – if this is still too far afield for you and you’ve waded through to this point, I will reward you with some lovely pictures of Valencia. I strongly recommend you go check out this sweet town!