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He’s known as the GOAT – and that’s not in reference to his mountain climbing abilities. No, Valentino Rossi is the God Of All Things motorcycling, with nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name – seven of which are at the highest level. And today marks 24 years since ‘the Doctor’ (another of his nicknames) first contested a world championship race – the 1996 Malaysian Grand Prix, at the Shah Alam Circuit.
Video: Valentino Rossi celebrates 24 years in MotoGP
Aboard an Aprilia RS125 racing for the Scuderia AGV Aprilia team, young Rossi – then only 17 – finished in an admirable sixth place. And the rest, they say, is history.
To date, he has stood on 198 MotoGP (/500cc) podiums, comprising 89 race victories, 61 second and 48 third positions. He has achieved 76 fastest laps, 55 poles and is the only rider to have competed in more than 400 Grands Prix.
But that’s not to forget his incredible prowess in the lower classes – to date, Rossi is the only rider in history to win 125, 250, 500 and MotoGP World Championships.
And today, despite rumours of his retirement, the 41-year-old still at the top of his game, remaining loyal to his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team.
And in case you were at any doubt about how awesome he is, let us remind you of the time he rode his MotoGP bike into Goodwood house. Now, we don’t think anyone else could get away with that…
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