There once was a point in time when motor racing icon Valentino Rossi was contemplating a move to the World Superbike Championship->ke3395 once his time at MotoGP->ke1254 was up. The plan was for the Doctor to make that transition, spend a few seasons in the series, and then hang up his racing boots. But plans don’t always go as people would hope and this one is a perfect example of what might have been had Rossi switched series.

Unfortunately, that’s not happening anymore because the six-time MotoGP world champion isn’t keen on making the jump anymore. During a recent press event for personal sponsor, Danes, Rossi made it clear what his plans are for the remaining years of his career, telling everybody that his preference now is to “concentrate on the premier class (MotoGP), stay as long as possible, and then retire.”

I know some people who had hoped to see Rossi race in the WSBK will be disappointed to here this, but it really makes a lot of sense when you consider that MotoGP is really where he turned himself into a hotshot prospect into a global icon who is considered as the best ever in what he does.

If he can add a seventh MotoGP title to his name and do it five years after winning his last title, it would really cement his status as the greatest MotoGP rider in history.

Click past the jump to read more about Valentino Rossi's decision to stick to MotoGP.

Why it matters

Rossi didn’t dive on the reasons for the change-of-heart, although it’s possible that thinks he has the bike (the Yamaha YZF-M1) that can take the fight to two-time champion Marc Marquez and Repsol Honda to win his seventh MotoGP title.

Actually, that’s the only reason I can think of, even if there are probably a host of valid reasons for his decision to stick to MotoGP. The fact is, Rossi’s already 36 years old and is poised to begin his 20th Grand Prix season this year. He doesn’t have a lot of years left in the sport so why not take full advantage of the last remaining chances he has of adding to his overflowing trophy case before moving on towards the next stage of his life.

His successful season last year - he finished runner-up to Marquez - could have also played a part in his decision to make one last run at a MotoGP title. If you came that close to unseating the champion, you’re going to want to get as many cracks at him as you can get. That’s just the nature of competition, and we all know how competitive the Doctor is when it comes to motorcycle racing.

You know what this also means for fans of MotoGP? We get to have Valentino Rossi all to ourselves until he retires. That fact alone should keep a lot of fans on the edge of their seats every season the Doctor is taking all these young thunder cats to school.