Benjamin Franklin wrote, “If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.”
MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi actually did both. The book he co-wrote, Valentino Rossi – The Autobiography, What if I had Never Tried It gives an inside look into the racer’s passion and what brought him to the top. And due to his unprecedented career in motorcycle racing, he’s definitely doing the things “worth the writing.”
This is why the motorcycle industry recognizes the Italian turning 31 years old on Tuesday, Feb. 16. After winning nine World Championships, seven in the premier MotoGP class, and one each in the 125cc and 250cc class, Rossi will always be remembered as one of the sharpest two-wheel racers of all time, right along with motorcycle racing legends Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Wayne Gardner and Freddie Spencer.
Born in Urbino, Italy, Rossi began racing go-karts at the age of five. By 1990, he had won the regional Kart Championship. “Vale” practiced mini motorcycle road racing in 1992, and began racing in the 125cc class in the Italian Sports Production Championship in 1993. He took the Italian title in 1995.
Vale’s history in the World Championship series is very impressive; he landed a ride with Aprilia in the 125cc class in 1996, and in 1997 he took the 125cc World Championship, winning 11 of 15 races. He raced for Aprilia in the 250cc class for the following two years, taking the 250cc World Championship in 1999, winning 9 of 16 races. In 2000 and 2001, Rossi raced for Nastro Azzurro Honda in the 500cc class, taking the World Championship in 2001, winning 11 of 16 races.
Rossi moved into the premier class in 2002, taking the World Championship four years straight. He remained on a Honda in 2002 and 2003, racing with Honda Repsol. In 2004, Rossi began riding Yamahas, first for Gauloises Yamaha, then Camel Yamaha, and finally the Fiat Yamaha team, where he remains today with teammate Jorge Lorenzo.
Going into the 2010 MotoGP season for the fourth consecutive year with the Fiat Yamaha team, the number 46 rider has 103 wins and 164 podium finishes; only Agostini has more wins with 122. During the first in a series of 2010 pre-season testing at Sepang, Rossi posted the fastest lap time of 17 riders, 2:00.925.
His feats make him one of the highest earning athletes in the world with an estimated $34 million annually; there is also multitudes of Valentino Rossi merchandise selling in high numbers worldwide. Rossi’s accomplishments have also earned him the odd nickname “GOAT” from former teammate Colin Edwards (2006 and 2007).
The meaning? Greatest Of All Time.
And with his career so far, what motorcycle racing fan would question that?
