Everyone wrote him off, but they were soon silenced when he won the first race of the year, making him the only rider to win back to back races on different motorcycles. Valentino has constantly pushed himself in his career – moving away from the championship-winning dominant Honda in 2004 to the terrible Yamaha was a huge risk. Yes, there have been other people with many wins and titles, but no-one else (in the modern era) has done it across several manufacturers. He has raced with several manufacturers, which again is another huge reason I think he is the greatest of all time. I am sure that my love of Yamahas has come from watching him racing them – my favourite era of Moto GP was when he switched to Yamaha in 2004 and was battling with Sete Gibernau and Nicky Hayden for the following years. Myself with the Legend Himself at Silverstone 2011 There was no way I could say what I wanted to say to him, and to this day I have no idea what came out of my mouth! I have his sun logo tattooed on my shoulder blade and spent countless hours stalking him at several Day of Champions events as a kid hoping to meet him! I was fortunate enough to meet him at Silverstone 10 years ago, and honestly was completely overwhelmed. If I look around my house there is something VR46 in most rooms, every single motorcycle helmet I’ve worn has been a Valentino replica and I’ve always worn Dainese kit. He qualified 11th on the grid so we were a bit disheartened, but come race day he was on a mission and ended up winning the race! Every time I’ve been to a race that he’s won, wherever it may be in the world, it has always felt like a “home victory” with how the crowd respond! His wins have always been the most popular, and that atmosphere after races like the Dutch TT will never be experienced again I don’t think. My favourite race would have to be the Dutch TT in 2007, which we had ridden over to on the bikes and spent most of the time absolutely soaking. That is something that we’ve said we would do for years, but unfortunately the timings never worked out and now we have missed our chance. I have been fortunate enough to watch Valentino race at circuits across Europe, but one thing I regret is never getting to watch him race in Italy. Friends would come around on Sundays and they’d be involved sitting in various VR46 t-shirts, flags, hats…whatever was closest to hand! In most photos from this time onwards I am firmly in my Valentino bucket hat and bright yellow top (which is now signed and a treasured possession)! We would pitch a tent and camp in the lounge when the flyaway rounds were on, waking up in the early hours of the morning to watch the racing live. He has been since 2002 which is when I can really remember getting absolutely obsessed with Moto GP (which was in its inaugural year) and the man himself. I am not shy to admit that Valentino Rossi is my hero. Valentino Rossi and his Yellow Army of Fans It truly is astounding to see his army of fans worldwide, I really can’t think of anyone who has got a fanbase like it. You go to the bike show – someone will have a Rossi t-shirt on. Every single race I’ve ever been to, whether it’s Moto GP or not, there will always be a sea of yellow in the crowd. You go to a bike meet – someone will have a Rossi helmet on. Valentino is the greatest motorcycle racer of all time in my opinion, and the impact he has had on the sport is absolutely incredible. There has never been a premier class rider competing at the top of his game for so long, but it’s not just about his talent. Valentino Rossi’s Statistics across his Moto GP Career Valentino’s statistics over his career speak for themselves: Total Race Starts: He is fun loving, has always been so exciting to watch on the race track, and not forgetting his legendary celebrations! He has inspired several generations of motorcycle racers at all levels, which just shows the extent of respect for him worldwide.Ĭlick to see some of Valentino’s best celebrations over the years: Photo gallery: Valentino Rossi’s iconic celebrations | MotoGP™ From the moment he broke onto the 125cc World Championship scene in 1996 his love for two wheels has always been apparent. Valentino has never fallen into that camp. In my opinion the majority of modern day racers seem robotic, like they’re just there doing a job and they’re more worried about upsetting their sponsors than enjoying and being themselves. This is a list of career statistics of Valentino Rossi.Valentino Rossi’s First World Championship Race Win – 1996
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