Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi has paid a fine tribute to TT legend and 2015 Senior winner John McGuinness during the race weekend in Germany last week, further confirming the status McGuinness holds even over the greatest of Grand Prix riders.

“43-years-old and three victories from Joey Dunlop’s record?” Rossi asked reporters to confirm at the Sachsenring. “Without any doubt McGuinness is one of the best in history in the Isle of Man, in that type of race.

“For me, for us that we race on the track, he is like a hero when you see him you say ‘f**k!’ so it is something a little bit far from what we do, no? Also, I am a friend of John and I’m very happy for him because he is quite older and when you look at him he’s more the fatter – no that’s a joke!

“This year, I always follow the practice and a lot of people said he was not very strong this year, but at the end he won the most important race, he did the lap record and when he takes off the helmet he was not sweating. For him it is something very natural.”