Valentino Rossi is a nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion and former professional motorcycle road racer from Italy, born on February 16, 1979.
He is widely recognized as one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time, with others calling him the greatest of all time.
Early life and Education
Valentino Rossi was born in Urbino, Italy, on February 16, 1979. Graziano Rossi, his father, was also a professional motorcycle racer.
Rossi began racing minibikes when he was five years old and won his first provincial championship when he was nine.
He attended his father’s Graziano Rossi Motorcycle Academy and began racing in national championships in 1993.
Throughout his adolescence and early twenties, Rossi competed in national and international contests, winning his first world championship in the 125cc class in 1997.
Despite his racing achievements, Rossi continued his schooling, earning a degree in marketing and business management from the University of Urbino in 2006.
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Career
Rossi began his Grand Prix motorcycle racing career in the 125cc class in 1996. In 1997, he won his maiden race and his first world title in the 125cc class.
Rossi advanced to the 250cc class in 1998, where he won the world title in 1999.
Rossi advanced to the premier class, known at the time as 500cc, in 2000. In his debut year in the class, he won the global title, which he repeated in 2001.
In 2002, the premier class was renamed MotoGP, and Rossi won the title in that class in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2008.
Rossi returned to Yamaha in 2013 after a two-year stay with the Ducati squad, and he will retire from MotoGP at the end of the 2021 season.
Rossi won nine world championships and 115 Grand Prix races during his career, placing second only to Giacomo Agostini in the all-time standings.
Personal Life
Rossi was born and reared in Tavullia, Italy, and he still resides there. Rossi is well-known for his passion for a variety of sports, including football and motocross.
He also likes to play the drums.
Rossi is a supporter of the Italian football team Inter Milan and has taken part in charity football matches on occasion.
Over his career, Rossi has been involved in a variety of charitable activities, including raising funds for earthquake relief in Italy and supporting the Riders for Health charity, which offers healthcare services in Africa.
In 2010, Rossi was awarded the title of Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, which is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to an Italian citizen.
On 4 March 2022, he had a daughter, Giulietta Rossi, with his partner, Francesca Sofia Novello.
References:
- Wikipedia: Valentino Rossi
- MotoGP: Valentino Rossi
- Redbull: Valentino Rossi: Career Highlights
- Biography: Valentino Rossi Biography
- Instagram: Valeyellow46
