Valentino Rossi is the most successful motorcycle racer in history, with an unprecedented record of success. A nine-time champion – seven consecutive – and a record-breaking eight-time runner-up, Rossi has won more premier class Grand Prix races than any other rider. He was the first rider to win seven titles in a row and the only one to win a title despite having been injured. Rossi has won more Grands Prix than any other rider – 177 – and his career tally includes 16 victories at the Isle of Man TT race
Read more
He has also been World Champion nine times, both as a team member and as an individual. He is the only person ever to achieve the 'Triple Crown' – MotoGP World Championship, World Superbike Championship and World Supersport Championship – along with being a double world champion in 125cc. He has also been victorious in other major categories, including 250cc, 500cc and Moto2.
In 2004 he was included alongside Tom Cruise and Harrison Ford as one of the top three 'Most iconic celebrities' by E! Online. In November 2008, Forbes ranked him as the second highest paid athlete in the world, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo. During his career he has been awarded with many honours including Ècole Nationale d'Administration Honorary Medal from France, The Order of Merit from Italy, conferred by President Giorgio Napolitano and named after Pius XI (King), Padma Vibhushan from India; Grandee of Spain; Knight First Class of the Order of Orange-Nassau by Queen Beatrix (King); and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX (Pope) from Pope Benedict XVI (Pope).