Valentino Rossi explains the ugliest fall

Valentino Rossi dresses as a master and explains the dynamics of riding a motorcycle

Valentino Rossi takes the high ground: in an interview with Geopop.it, a science popularization channel, the centaur from Tavullia explained in his own words the dynamics of riding a motorcycle, describing cornering and the difference between various falls.

“The motorcycle curves but you don’t know why: actually the motorcycle is ridden with the handlebars, but you don’t realize it. You don’t realize that to curve left you turn the handlebars to the right and vice versa,” explained the Doctor. “The handlebars always look straight,” he continued, “but the slight force to the left allows you to bend. Bending bike, steering turned to the other side and the bike turns. When you bend the bike would like to go back up, the rider has to be good to counter this force that pushes outward. The riders’ movements greatly affect the behavior of the bike.”

“The highside is the ugliest fall,” Valentino explained, “It’s scary because you’re thrown high. I always give this example: imagine being in a car on the highway at 150 mph and then opening the sunroof. And one throws you out. We have a suit, airbags, helmet, but the feeling when you fall is that there.”

“There are two types of falls,” continued the seven-time world champion. “Either you close the front, but you’re so bent over so you’re already down, almost lying a foot off the asphalt with your head…. If you go fast, the problem is falling into the gravel or slamming into somewhere or into the bike itself, because it weighs 160-170 kg, launched at 200 mph, it’s a potential bomb… But usually the bike goes your way and weighing more than you accelerates and pulls away.”