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Rossi continued to race karts and finished fifth at the national kart championships in [[Parma]]. Both Valentino and Graziano had started looking at moving into the Italian 100cc series, as well as the corresponding European series, which most likely would have pushed him into the direction of [[Formula One]]. However, the high cost of racing karts led to the decision to race minimoto exclusively. Through 1992 and 1993, Valentino continued to learn the ins and outs of minimoto racing. | Rossi continued to race karts and finished fifth at the national kart championships in [[Parma]]. Both Valentino and Graziano had started looking at moving into the Italian 100cc series, as well as the corresponding European series, which most likely would have pushed him into the direction of [[Formula One]]. However, the high cost of racing karts led to the decision to race minimoto exclusively. Through 1992 and 1993, Valentino continued to learn the ins and outs of minimoto racing. | ||
In 1993, with help from his father, [[Virginio Ferrari]], Claudio Castiglioni and [[Claudio Lusuardi]] (who ran the official [[Cagiva]] Sport Production team), he rode a [[Cagiva Mito]] 125cc motorcycle, which he damaged in a first-corner crash no more than a hundred | In 1993, with help from his father, [[Virginio Ferrari]], Claudio Castiglioni and [[Claudio Lusuardi]] (who ran the official [[Cagiva]] Sport Production team), he rode a [[Cagiva Mito]] 125cc motorcycle, which he damaged in a first-corner crash no more than a hundred metres from the pit lane.<ref name="Rossi9394">Rossi, pages 93–94</ref> He finished ninth that race weekend.<ref name="Rossi9394"/> | ||
Although his first season in the Italian Sport Production Championship was varied, he achieved a pole position in the season's final race at [[Misano Circuit|Misano]], where he would ultimately finish on the podium. By the second year, Rossi had been provided with a factory Mito by Lusuardi and won the Italian title. | Although his first season in the Italian Sport Production Championship was varied, he achieved a pole position in the season's final race at [[Misano Circuit|Misano]], where he would ultimately finish on the podium. By the second year, Rossi had been provided with a factory Mito by Lusuardi and won the Italian title. | ||
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Rossi returned to MotoGP for the [[2007 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|2007 season]] riding the new Yamaha YZR-M1 800 cc. In the first race in Qatar he came second to [[Casey Stoner]] on the [[Ducati Desmosedici]]. In the second round of the season Rossi won the second race of the season in [[2007 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spain]], and would win 3 more races that season. Stoner dominated the season, winning 10 races to take his first title, 125 points clear of second place [[Dani Pedrosa]]. Pedrosa’s win in the last race at [[2007 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencia]] combined with Rossi’s retirement meant that he beat Rossi into third place by a single point. This was Rossi’s lowest championship position since his first season in 1996 in 125s. | Rossi returned to MotoGP for the [[2007 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|2007 season]] riding the new Yamaha YZR-M1 800 cc. In the first race in Qatar he came second to [[Casey Stoner]] on the [[Ducati Desmosedici]]. In the second round of the season Rossi won the second race of the season in [[2007 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix|Spain]], and would win 3 more races that season. Stoner dominated the season, winning 10 races to take his first title, 125 points clear of second place [[Dani Pedrosa]]. Pedrosa’s win in the last race at [[2007 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencia]] combined with Rossi’s retirement meant that he beat Rossi into third place by a single point. This was Rossi’s lowest championship position since his first season in 1996 in 125s. | ||
For [[2008 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|2008]] Rossi changed to Bridgestone | For [[2008 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|2008]] Rossi changed to Bridgestone tyres. The season started slowly with a fifth place finish in Qatar, but he took his first win in Shanghai, and also won the next two races. From that race, Rossi was on the podium of every remaining race (except the [[2008 Dutch TT|Dutch]] round at [[Assen]], where he crashed on the first lap and finished 11th), winning a total of nine races in the season. His victories at [[2008 United States motorcycle Grand Prix|Laguna Seca]] (after a pass down the “Corkscrew” corner over Stoner,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Rossi+stops+Stoner+for+first+Laguna+Seca+victory|title=Rossi stops Stoner for first Laguna Seca victory|date=2008-07-20|work=motogp.com|publisher=[[Dorna Sports]]|accessdate=2010-04-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/july/14-20/jul2008-motogp-stoner-upset-aggresive-moves/|title=Casey Stoner upset with aggressive Valentino Rossi|date=2008-07-21|work=[[Motorcycle News]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|first=Matthew|last=Birt|accessdate=2010-04-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motorcycle.com/events/rossi-edges-stoner-at-laguna-seca-85417.html|title=Rossi edges Stoner at Laguna Seca |date=2008-07-21|work=Motorcycle.com|publisher=Verticalscope Inc.|accessdate=2010-04-12}}</ref> who crashed but continued and took the second place) and at a rain-shortened race in Indianapolis, meant that Rossi has won in every current circuit in the calendar. His win in Motegi was his first victory there on a MotoGP bike. The victory at Motegi won Rossi his first 800cc MotoGP title, his sixth in premier category, and eighth overall. | ||
On June 8, 2009, Valentino Rossi rode a Yamaha around the famous Isle of Man TT Course in an exhibition lap along-side fellow Italian motorcycle legend [[Giacomo Agostini]], in what was called 'The Lap of the Gods'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/rossi-falls-in-love-with-isle-of-man-14331294.html|title=Rossi falls in love with Isle of Man |date=2009-06-09|work=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref> | On June 8, 2009, Valentino Rossi rode a Yamaha around the famous Isle of Man TT Course in an exhibition lap along-side fellow Italian motorcycle legend [[Giacomo Agostini]], in what was called 'The Lap of the Gods'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/rossi-falls-in-love-with-isle-of-man-14331294.html|title=Rossi falls in love with Isle of Man |date=2009-06-09|work=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref> | ||
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Since his dominance in 500 cc and MotoGP, Rossi has used the nickname "The Doctor." This has been attributed to his "cold and clinical dismantling of his opponents" as well as his cool and calm composure in racing compared to his frenetic days in 125 cc and 250 cc where his performance was erratic and dangerous, resulting in numerous crashes. Two theories prevail as to why Rossi is entitled to "The Doctor." One is that Rossi adopted the nickname upon having earned a degree, which in Italy entitles one to use the title "Doctor". Another, as spoken by Graziano himself, "The Doctor because, I don't think there is a particular reason, but it's beautiful, and is important, The Doctor. And in Italy, The Doctor is a name you give to someone for respect, it's very important, The Doctor... important". Although Valentino often jokes that the name arrived because in Italy, Rossi is a common surname for Doctors. These days Rossi rarely crashes and in fact holds the record for the longest streak of consecutive podiums. From September 8, 2002 to April 18, 2004, he stood on the podium at the end of all 23 races including every race in 2003. | Since his dominance in 500 cc and MotoGP, Rossi has used the nickname "The Doctor." This has been attributed to his "cold and clinical dismantling of his opponents" as well as his cool and calm composure in racing compared to his frenetic days in 125 cc and 250 cc where his performance was erratic and dangerous, resulting in numerous crashes. Two theories prevail as to why Rossi is entitled to "The Doctor." One is that Rossi adopted the nickname upon having earned a degree, which in Italy entitles one to use the title "Doctor". Another, as spoken by Graziano himself, "The Doctor because, I don't think there is a particular reason, but it's beautiful, and is important, The Doctor. And in Italy, The Doctor is a name you give to someone for respect, it's very important, The Doctor... important". Although Valentino often jokes that the name arrived because in Italy, Rossi is a common surname for Doctors. These days Rossi rarely crashes and in fact holds the record for the longest streak of consecutive podiums. From September 8, 2002 to April 18, 2004, he stood on the podium at the end of all 23 races including every race in 2003. | ||
He has always raced with the number #46 in his motorcycle grand prix career. Rossi has stated that the original inspiration for this choice of number was the Japanese "wild card" racer [[Norifumi Abe]] whom he saw on television speeding past much more seasoned riders in a wet race. He later found out that it was the number his father had raced with in the first of his 3 grand prix career wins, in 1979, in Yugoslavia, on a 250c Morbidelli. Typically, a World Championship winner (and also runner-up and third place) is awarded the #1 sticker for the next season. However, in a homage to [[Barry Sheene]] (who was the first rider of the modern era to keep the same number, #7), Rossi has stayed with the now-famous #46 throughout his career. The text on his helmet refers to the name of his group of friends: "The Tribe of the Chihuahua," and the letters WLF on his | He has always raced with the number #46 in his motorcycle grand prix career. Rossi has stated that the original inspiration for this choice of number was the Japanese "wild card" racer [[Norifumi Abe]] whom he saw on television speeding past much more seasoned riders in a wet race. He later found out that it was the number his father had raced with in the first of his 3 grand prix career wins, in 1979, in Yugoslavia, on a 250c Morbidelli. Typically, a World Championship winner (and also runner-up and third place) is awarded the #1 sticker for the next season. However, in a homage to [[Barry Sheene]] (who was the first rider of the modern era to keep the same number, #7), Rossi has stayed with the now-famous #46 throughout his career. The text on his helmet refers to the name of his group of friends: "The Tribe of the Chihuahua," and the letters WLF on his leathers stand for "Viva La Figa," Italian for "Long Live Pussy." He has so far escaped any sanctions or ultimatums that he remove the letters because the "W" in "WLF" represents the two "V"s in "ViVa". Equally obvious is his success at escaping any disciplinary action from the FIM or Dorna for having the letters so brazenly on the front neck area of his leathers. He traditionally also incorporates his favorite color (fluorescent yellow) into his leather designs. Though Rossi won the MotoGP title seven times he never put the number 1 on his motorcycle representing the World Champion, instead staying with his famous "46". But Rossi has worn the #1 reserved for the reigning World Champion on the shoulder of his racing leathers. | ||
Fellow motorcycle racer and former team mate [[Colin Edwards]], as well as some TV journalists have often referred to him as 'the GOAT' (Greatest of all Time). Colin Edwards says this in the film 'Faster'. | Fellow motorcycle racer and former team mate [[Colin Edwards]], as well as some TV journalists have often referred to him as 'the GOAT' (Greatest of all Time). Colin Edwards says this in the film 'Faster'. | ||
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===Household Pets=== | ===Household Pets=== | ||
Rossi's famous pet dog was Guido,<ref>some other facts on Rossi : [http://www.valentinorossi.fr/bio_and_other_facts_about_Rossi.htm Guido, Rossi's dog]</ref> <!-- this is not a reliable source --> a British bulldog which he has had since 2000. As Rossi frequently travels the world Guido could not stay in London and was living with Rossi's mother in Tavullia. Rossi could only see the dog while visiting her. Guido, whose image has been a mascot on Rossi’s bikes and helmets, died after the 2008 Australian GP and to pay tribute to him, the new World Champion designed a special sticker made up of Guido sporting a pair of angel wings and floating on celestial clouds. Guido has made some other appearances on Rossi's bike. When lagging 32 points in the 2006 championship, Guido was dressed with an Inuit suit. Guido was also wearing a prisoner suit during the pre season tests. | Rossi's famous pet dog was Guido,<ref>some other facts on Rossi : [http://www.valentinorossi.fr/bio_and_other_facts_about_Rossi.htm Guido, Rossi's dog]</ref> <!-- this is not a reliable source --> a British bulldog which he has had since 2000. As Rossi frequently travels the world Guido could not stay in London and was living with Rossi's mother in Tavullia. Rossi could only see the dog while visiting her. Guido, whose image has been a mascot on Rossi’s bikes and helmets, died after the 2008 Australian GP and to pay tribute to him, the new World Champion designed a special sticker made up of Guido sporting a pair of angel wings and floating on celestial clouds.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} Guido has made some other appearances on Rossi's bike. When lagging 32 points in the 2006 championship, Guido was dressed with an Inuit suit. Guido was also wearing a prisoner suit during the pre season tests. | ||
Guido's death has garnered so much attention that it was mentioned in Italy's top-selling sports newspaper the ''Gazzetta dello Sport''. | Guido's death has garnered so much attention that it was mentioned in Italy's top-selling sports newspaper the ''Gazzetta dello Sport''. | ||
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[[Category:125cc World Championship riders]] | [[Category:125cc World Championship riders]] | ||
[[Category:MotoGP riders]] | [[Category:MotoGP riders]] | ||
[[Category:Motorcycle racers who have driven F1 cars]] | |||
[[Category:Laureus World Sports Awards winners]] | |||
[[Category:People from Urbino]] | |||
[[Category:1979 births]] | [[Category:1979 births]] | ||
[[Category:Living people]] | |||