Valentino Rossi’s new autobiography, «La Mia Storia», was released on 10 November, bringing his version of the defining moments of his career back into focus. The 480-page book, written with Italian journalist Giorgio Terruzzi, moves from Rossi’s childhood to his nine world championships and 115 Grand Prix victories, while also examining the friendships and rivalries that shaped his life in racing.

The most emotionally charged section concerns the 2015 MotoGP season. Rossi arrived at the Malaysian Grand Prix still fighting Jorge Lorenzo for the championship and for what would have been a 10th world title. Marc Marquez was already out of the title contest, but Rossi believed the Spaniard had become directly involved in the fight by riding with the aim of preventing him from winning it.

Their battle at Sepang escalated into the incident that has remained one of the sport’s most disputed episodes. Rossi was subsequently given a last-place starting position for the Valencia finale. The race drew record global television attention and ended with Lorenzo taking the championship, while the tension surrounding Rossi, Lorenzo and Marquez extended beyond the track and into the groups of fans who had travelled to the circuit.

Speaking on «Che tempo che fa» while promoting the book, Rossi said his interpretation of 2015 had not changed. In his view, the title fight belonged to himself and Lorenzo, while Marquez was racing primarily to make Rossi lose. Rossi also referred to an alleged understanding that the riders would not attack Lorenzo in the final race, arguing that this contributed to his failure to secure the championship. These are Rossi’s own claims about the events.

The former champion said the episode still affects him more than a decade later. He described the feelings he experiences when recalling the night in Valencia as essentially unchanged, and admitted that this continuing intensity concerns him. Rossi also said he often tries to redirect his attention from the title he lost to the championships he won, but added that defeat tends to hurt more than victory satisfies.

A career seen from behind number 46

«La Mia Storia» is not Rossi’s first book about his career. An earlier autobiography appeared while he was still at the height of his fame, was translated into Greek and sold well. The new volume instead offers a later perspective on the milestones, controversies and personal turning points of a career that includes nine world championships and 115 Grand Prix wins.

Rossi said he chose to write the new book partly because he likes books, but also because he wanted fans to see the person behind the famous number 46. That approach gives the volume a broader focus than a list of results, combining racing memories with accounts of the relationships and rivalries surrounding them.

The Italian edition quickly attracted strong demand in Italian bookshops, and publishing rights have been sold in 52 countries. The English edition, titled «My Story», is scheduled by Hachette UK for 25 February 2027 in the United Kingdom and 9 March 2027 in the United States. For MotoGP readers, its particular interest lies in Rossi’s decision to revisit 2015 in his own voice, rather than allowing the lost title to sit as just another line in an extraordinary record.