MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has signed with Yamaha for two more years, which will see the nine-time world champion remain with the team through the 2020 season. 

Rossi, who turned 39 in February, will race at least another three seasons, and, by gawd, there is no reason he shouldn’t. Last season, at 38 years old, Rossi had one win and six podiums en route to finishing fifth in points. 

Rossi will be 41 in the final year of the contract, and if he feels like it, he should sign for another two years. MotoGP is better with Valentino Rossi in it. 

Here is a statement from Rossi via a Yamaha press release: 

“When I signed my last contract with Yamaha in March 2016, I wondered if that would have been the last contract as a MotoGP rider. At that time, I decided that I‘d take that decision during the following two years. During the last two years I came to the conclusion that I want to continue, because racing, being a MotoGP rider—but especially riding my M1—is the thing that makes me feel good.

“Having the opportunity to work with my team, with Silvano, Matteo and all my mechanics, and working with all Japanese engineers, Tsuji-san, and, above all, Tsuya-san, is a pleasure—I‘m happy.

“I want to thank Yamaha—Lin Jarvis and Maio Meregalli in particular—for their trust in me, because the challenge is difficult: being competitive until I‘m 40 years old! I know it‘s going to be difficult and it requires a lot of effort from my side and a lot of training, but I‘m ready, I am not lacking in motivation. That‘s why I‘m signing for two more years.”