MotoGP hero Valentino Rossi says he is planning on returning to the Bathurst 12 Hour following a maiden p🌄o𓂃dium at the event last weekend with BMW.

Rossi has elected to focus on the World Endurance Championship with WRT BMW in the LMGT3 class, though the꧅ team did confirm to that there were plans for him to contest select other events.

Read more: Inside Valentino Rossi's chase for a tenth world title

The 12-hour enduro at the Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst marked the start of Rossi’s 2025 racing season, asꦿ he teamed up with Charles Weerts and Raffaele Marciello in the #46 WRT-run BMW M4 GT3.

The #46 car - which started outside the top 10 after qualifying - battled 🉐with the siste♍r #32 WRT entry for the lead at various stages of the race, though Rossi’s podium hopes were jeopardised when he was hit with a penalty for an overtake under yellow flags.

But the #46 car rallied in the latter stages to com🅰plete a WRT 1-2 behind the #32 car.

Having made it onto the podium in his third visit to Bathurst, ꦰRossi is planning on a retuღrn to challenge for victory in future.

“I want to come back, because for me it's good to come aꦆnd race one time a year in Australia, because I like this p꧙lace a lot,” he said.

“It's the♔ perfect way to start the season, because the track is fantastic, and the race is also very difficult.

“I hope that in the next year more fact🥂ory drivers and more factory cars can come, but I think that I will come back here.”

Commenting on the race, Rossi admits🔥 he thought the penalty meant his podium hopes were “over” and 📖praised a late overtake from team-mate Marciello in his charge to get to the rostrum.

“This podium is a 𒅌fantastic way to start the season,” he added.

“The whole weekend was 𝐆great, as we wer🌟e always strong and competitive.

“We were able to fight with our sister car until I made a mistake unfortunately 🏅and we had to se💦rve a drive-through penalty.

“I thought at that point that th🎀e fight for the⛦ podium was over, but we managed to come back with great pace.

“Raffaele’s overtake on Jules Go🐎unon was a lot of ▨fun to watch. I am very happy with the result.”