Valentino Rossi “expert in psychological warfare - until someone was smarter”

MotoGP legend Rossi retired with seven championships in the premier class although none in his final 12 seasons, as the likes of Marc Marquez took over.

"Valentino was an expert in psychological warfare, until he found riders smarter than him," said Ramon Forcada.

"That's why he hadn't won since 2009, because others assimilated certain things for the first time.

"Valentino was the number one strategist and we have seen how many he has mentally destroyed during his career."

Rossi was not, however, the fastest rider according to Forcada, a long-time crew chief who assisted Andrea Dovizioso in 2022.

"The fastest of all was Casey Stoner,” Forcada said. 

“He set the best times on the third lap on circuits he didn't know.

"Some are immediately very fast because they are already naturally ready, others who need to have everything to be fast."

Francesco Bagnaia enters 2023 as the reigning champion after pipping Fabio Quartararo on the final day of the season. They shared an exhilarating year-long battle which is set to resume this season.

“Apart from Pecco who was very fast, I don't know if people understood what Fabio did,” Forcada said. “Hats off, even though he didn't win the championship.

"He found himself alone, with a bike that has not evolved, the same bike as last year, with an engine that does not turn or turns very little, with weak acceleration. 

“And without using all the aerodynamic and levelling systems that Ducati used. Being able to compete in the championship with Pecco is a great merit".