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Top 10 Facts about Valentino Rossi

Valentino Ross, image by motoracereports –

He was born on 16^TH February 1979 in Urbino Italy. He is a former Italian motorcycle racer. He started by riding a 100cc kart by the age of five. He won several kart championships before taking up minimoto.

He worked with Honda after winning the 1999 championship and took nine races before he could win on the Honda. He later signed to rival company Yamaha after speculations that it was his bike Honda RC211V that was a reason for his success and not himself.

He marked his 100^th career win in 2009 after winning in Catalunya. He was nicknamed The Doctor as a sign of respect. He always rode number forty-six on his motorcycle in his whole career and is often referred to as the Greatest of all time [GOAT] by journalists and commentators.

He always performed a ritual whereby stopping about two meters from his bike, bending over, and reaching for his boots. Then, when arriving at his bike, he will crouch down and hold the right-side foot-peg, with his head bowed. He would always put one particular boot on before the other, as well as one particular glove on before the other. He always got on the bike the same way.

Rossi was under investigation for tax evasion and paid 35 million euros to close the tax case. He loves soccer and openly supports Inter Milan. He planned for his retirement well as he owns a racing team.

1. He started racing at the age of five

Young riders racing, photo by Sergio Perosino –

Rossi is the Son of former motorcycle racer Graziano Rossi, he began riding at a very young age. He started with a 10cc national cart motor and won numerous karting championships.

He finished fifth in the 1991 national championships in Parma. He later got an opportunity to ride a 125cc motorcycle courtesy of world champion Paolo Pileri.

2. Valentino Rossi was signed by the Honda Racing team

He was given a seat at Honda in 1999, which was by then the highest class in World Championship motorcycle racing. This was the breakthrough in his career as he worked with Honda for five years before signing with Yamaha.

3. He always rode in lucky number 46

Valenti Rossi. Image by Aimar eta Manex-

Throughout his career as a motorcycle racer, Rossi always preferred to ride in the identification number 46. This number is a symbol of his success as only he rode in this number.

This number came from his father’s most successful season in his 250cc motorcycle using number 46 the year he was born.

4. Valentino Rossi is known as the Doctor

Since he started racing, Rossi has had several nicknames. The name ‘doctor’ seems to have struck through most of his career.

The name came from a theory after he got his degree and was an Italian name given as a sign of respect. Of all the nicknames given to him, he loved this name the most.

5. He is a nine-time MotoGP champion and also boasts of a 100 wins

Rossi celebrates his 100th career win. Image by Giulio Bernardi-

Motorcycle racing has some of the most iconic names in the industry. An athlete has to have many achievements to earn this name and Rossi has done a lot to earn it.

He holds the record of most premier class victories and is the only road racer to have competed in 400 grand pix races. He was the second motorcycle racer in the grand pix history to reach 100 wins.

6. He always performed some pre-ride rituals in each race

Rossi performing his ritual. Photo by Alex Simonini-

He was very superstitious as on every race day, he would always watch the beginning of the moto3 race to see how long the starting lights remain lit. He then would stop about two meters from his bike, bend over and reach for his boots.

When arriving at his bike, he will crouch down and hold the right-side foot-peg, with his head bowed. He explains he did this to adjust the fit of his leathers and gave a moment to talk and focus on his bike.

7. Valentino Rossi is a great fan of soccer

Rossi and Dani Pedrosa with a soccer ball. Photo by Box Repsol-

Soccer is a loved sport by many and Rossi makes no secret about his love for Inter Milan football club. The club congratulated him after he won world titles in 2008 and 2009 on their official website.

He wore a replica Diego Maradona shirt after he won the 2015 Argentine Grand Prix as a tribute to Maradona. Maradona congratulated him on his win on his Facebook account.

8. He founded the VR46 Racing Academy

During his motorcycle racing years, he founded the vr46 racing team. He founded it intending to promote young Italian talent.

The team was to counter the massive influx of Spanish riders. It has to date collected 28 race wins, one riders’ championship, and one team’s championship.

9. Valentino Rossi faced federal charges of tax evasion

He was under investigation severally and the authorities had unsuccessfully investigated him in 2002. His London residence had enabled him to take advantage of favorable tax conditions. The authorities stated that he avoided taxes on his lucrative merchandising and sponsorship contracts through his London residence.

He reached an agreement with the Italian authorities and paid 35 million euros to close the tax case. He also plea-bargained a suspended sentence of six months imprisonment for non-declaration of income.

10. He announced his retirement after 30 years of motorcycle racing

Rossi and Pedrosa, image by Box Repsol –

At the age of 38, he has had an unbelievable racing career. He has won all the possible awards in racing. His career has paved way for many young, talented, and famous riders.

He was the 6^th most successful rider in terms of total victories and was inducted into the MotoGP hall of fame. He was inducted as an official Legend by the FIM at the awards ceremony after the conclusion of the 2021 season. He had made an announcement at the start of the season that he would retire from MotoGP after the 2021 season.