Valentino Rossi - MotoGP Racing

Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi's list of accolades is almost as long as his list of fans. His first trip into the history books began as he became only the second rider to attain World Championship titles in all three of the lower cylinder categories, 150cc, 250cc, and 500cc. Today, he is the only man to have won the Premier Class MotoGP World Championship on 500cc, 990cc, and 800cc machines. He is also the first rider to ever take two consecutive victories for different factories when he left Honda to join Yamaha. That year, he won Yamaha their first World Championship in over a decade.

In 2005, MotoGP fans held their breath among speculation that The Doctor would leave the two-wheel world and make a move to Formula 1. Although he did very publicly race the Ferrari, it was just that... speculation. With a short break from being World Champion in 2006 and 2007 (as the titles were grabbed by riders Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner, respectively), Valentino returned to hold the prestigious title again in 2008.

Still riding for Fiat Yamaha in 2009, Rossi once again wowed MotoGP racing fans worldwide as he maintain his World Championship status for another year - which earned him yet another record of an astounding nine Premier Class titles, induction into the Motorcycle Racing Hall of Fame and the recognition of being the greatest rider of all time.

2010 saw The King de-throned due to a broken leg he sustained in a crash during the qualifying practice session at Mugello and subsequently missing the next four races of the season. His injury opened the door for teammate Jorge Lorenzo to clinch the title. 2010 was also the last year that Rossi rode for Yamaha as he signed a new 2 year contract with Ducati and will ride for them through 2012.

"It is very difficult to explain in just a few words what my relationship with Yamaha has been in these past seven years," said Rossi. "Many things have changed since that far-off time in 2004 but especially 'she', my M1, has changed. At that time, she was a poor middle-grid position MotoGP bike, derided by most of the riders and the MotoGP workers. "Now, after having helped her to grow and improve, you can see her smiling in her garage, courted and admired, treated as the top of her class. "Now the moment has come to look for new challenges, my work here at Yamaha is finished. "Unfortunately, even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave behind a lot of wonderful memories, like when my M1 and I kissed for the first time at Welkom, when she looked straight into my eyes and told me 'I love you'." - Valentino Rossi