TWENTY-NINE YEARS OLD...EIGHTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

I'm talking of course, about the sensational Valentino Rossi.

Starting as a fresh-faced 16 year old in the 125 class, he spent his inaugural year learning the circuits and machine.

Second year he won the championship, becoming the youngest ever rider to win it. Record number one.


Next year he moved to the 250's. Again, the first year was spent learning the machine.

Second year he won the championship,


Then he moved to the sought after Premier class, at that time the vicious 500cc machines, which were all but guided missiles.

...Learned the machine, next year...well, you see where this is going.

Then he defended it the next year which is the true sign of a real champion.

He has won 6 times since, including five on the trot; 2001, the final 500cc race before the change to the MotoGP, 2002 and 3 then the switching of manufacturers from Honda to (the struggling at the time), Yamaha, and 04 and 05 followed. This winning spree also saw the machines develop from the 500s to the updated MotoGP machines which are (now) 800cc four stroke machines. They were 1000cc but deemed by the authorities too fast so the cc was reduced. Then motorcycle development being in perpetual motion as it is, saw the 800's being quicker than their larger, (therefore heavier) cousins.

And along the way he has broken record after record, including the revered title of most races in the Premier class, held since the 60's by Giamaco Agostini.

He now has but one record to chase - the most wins over all classes, a record held also by Agostini at 123. Valentino has 88.

So all hail Valentino; he is beyond question the most successful motorcycle pilot of all time - and still only 29 years of age.