Valentino Rossi is a name synonymous with greatness in MotoGP, but alongside his incredible talent came a set of unusual habits that became part of his racing mystique. Randy Mamola, a 13-time premier class race winner and former MotoGP test rider, recently recalled some of Rossi’s strangest pre-race routines — rituals that were as entertaining as they were peculiar.
The Doctor’s Unique Rituals: Touching Knees, Ears, and… Underpants?
Mamola revealed that Rossi’s pre-race habits were unlike anything he had ever seen in the paddock. “When you watched Valentino, he had an array of things, like touching his ears before walking out of the garage,” Mamola told Motorsport.com. “He touched his knees before stepping over the line. He did what Rafa Nadal does — he pulls up his underpants (or G-string maybe!). It was kind of weird.”
Rossi’s rituals didn’t just stop there. According to Mamola, the Italian superstar would also hold the foot peg before mounting his bike — an odd superstition meant to steady himself before every race. Mamola even recounted his own experience testing Rossi’s Yamaha in Valencia, mimicking the ritual to prevent crashing. “They said: ‘If you crash it we’ll kill you!’ I said: ‘This will stop me from crashing…’” Mamola joked.
Why Cameras Loved Rossi’s Quirks
The media couldn’t get enough of Rossi’s habits, even if they seemed strange to outsiders. Mamola shared a humorous anecdote about the constant camera focus on these routines: “I used to say to Dorna, ‘Why are you filming this every weekend?’ ‘Because it’s Rossi.’ Yes, but one time is enough per weekend.”
This fascination with Rossi’s pre-race behavior became a defining feature of his public image, making the Italian rider not just a champion on the track but a captivating personality off it. The quirks added a human touch to the racing legend and gave fans something memorable to talk about beyond his victories.
Other Legendary Superstitions in Motorcycle Racing
Mamola also reflected on some of the strangest superstitions he’s encountered during his long career, highlighting another colorful figure: seven-time Isle of Man TT winner Mick Grant. Grant had a superstition about dropped gloves — he believed if he dropped one while getting dressed, someone else had to pick it up, or else bad luck would follow.
Mamola chuckled about his own reaction to this superstition. “Every time I drop my glove, when I get dressed, I think of how stupid Mick Grant was! And I pick it up myself!”
