Valentino Rossi Revised And Updated

Valentino Rossi: Life of a Legend offers an intimate portrait of one of the most successful and iconic legends in the history of MotoGP.

'AN EXCEPTIONAL READ' - Motor Cycle News 'STUART BARKER IS TO WRITING WHAT VALENTINO ROSSI IS TO RIDING [...] A MUST-READ FOR ALL BIKE NUTS' - DAILY MIRROR 'At high speed everything becomes more difficult and more beautiful. When you're racing at 180mph, the semi-bends become bends, the little holes become big holes, everything becomes extreme and bigger. And then it becomes beautiful.' Valentino Rossi is an icon: the most successful and most loved motorcycle racer of all time, he has transcended MotoGP to become a symbol of courage, risk and daring. To race for twenty-three years at the very highest level of the world's most dangerous sport is unprecedented. But then, there has never been a motorcycle racer like Valentino Rossi. He is a modern-day gladiator, a man who still risks his life every time he throws a leg over a motorcycle. Yet for all his two-wheel talents, it is Rossi's endearing character that has seen him transcend the sport. His popularity is phenomenal. For Rossi, every race is a home race. He turns MotoGP grandstands across the world a sea of yellow - his traditional lucky colour. In more than two decades of Grand Prix racing, Rossi has seen it all. The deaths of rivals and friends, the glory of his unprecedented success, serious injuries, fabulous wealth, the greatest battles ever seen on two wheels, the infamous on and off-track clashes with his fiercest rivals . . . Using exclusive new interviews with those who have been part of Rossi's story from start to finish, critically-acclaimed and bestselling motorsport author Stuart Barker has produced the most in-depth book ever written about the Italian superstar - a tale of speed, love and loss, told in full for the very first time, in all its adrenalin-charged, high-octane glory.

The fourth edition of this best-selling paperback includes a complete new chapter and photographs to cover the 2005 season and Rossi's fifth consecutive World Championship title. After quitting the dominant Honda factory at the end of 2003 for the unfancied Yamaha outfit, Rossi proved that he could still quell his MotoGP opposition. Beating off the Honda hordes, the popular Italian left his former bosses with seriously red faces. Rossi's achievements on the Yamaha have stunned even the sport's most cynical observers, convincing them that he's the greatest bike rider ever.

Valentino Rossi was born on May 16 1979 in Tuvallia, Italy. He won his first GP aged 17, his first world title at 18 and his first MotoGP at 22. He currently rides for Yamaha. Illustrated with rare photos and insights, this is the life story of the world's greatest motorcycle rider. This translation originally published: London: Century, 2005.

Valentino Rossi's retirement brings down the curtain on an incredible career in the MotoGP motorcycle world championships. With his nine titles, including seven in the premier class, he is widely regarded as the greatest motorcycle racer ever, and his 26 seasons of Grand Prix racing make him unique across both motorcycling and Formula 1. Rossi has been captivating fans since he won his first Grand Prix at the age of 17 and even in his final season, at the age of 42, he has been riding faster than ever. In Valentino Rossi: All His Races, by top journalist Mat Oxley, each and every one of these races comes under the microscope, complete with perspectives about Rossi's achievements, the controversies, his character, and analysis of his bikes. This is a Valentino Rossi book like no other, with photos by Henk Keulemans, who was shooting grand prix racing when Rossi's father Graziano was winning races. Early days, from karting and minimoto bikes to a first GP win, on a 125 Aprilia in the 1996 Czech GP, then onwards to claim the 125cc world title in 1997. Moving up to the 250cc class in 1998 brought four consecutive end-of-season wins riding for Aprilia, followed by a decisive title in 1999 with nine victories. Grabbed by Honda to race its super-successful NSR500, Rossi graduated to the 'class of kings' for 2000, almost becoming champion that season -- but the following year he sealed MotoGP, for 990cc four-stroke bikes, took over and Rossi immediately reigned supreme aboard his Honda RC211V, securing back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003, before a surprise departure to uncompetitive Yamaha. Rossi rates his first year with Yamaha, 2004, as his best: defying expectation, he won first time out on the YZR-M1 and took a fourth successive title with nine wins. In six more seasons with Yamaha, 2005-10, Rossi collected three more championship crowns, his 2008 success especially sweet because it involved a fightback after two leaner years. Rossi's move to Ducati looked to be an appetising all-Italian prospect but his two winless seasons there, 2011 and 2012, were disastrous. A return to Yamaha never quite recaptured his greatest glories, but Rossi was championship runner-up three times and came very close to another title in 2015. Beautifully designed and comprehensively illustrated, this book is the complete record of Valentino Rossi's remarkable career in motorcycle racing.

Fabulous full-color photographs capture the larger-than-life character of arguably the greatest motorcycle racer of all time and one of the world’s most charismatic sporting personalities, both on and off the track. Rossi’s life is charted from his earliest days, following his graduation through the ranks, winning the 125, 250 and 500 World Championships, to his domination of the 200mph MotoGP class, first with Honda and then in 2004 and 2005 with the previously under performing Yamaha squad. This is a visual treat for all who appreciate Rossi’s talent and take on life in this age of conformist motor sport.

From the day he was born into a racing family on February 16, 1979, Rossi was destined for racing greatness. Rossi started his international racing career in 1996, riding for Aprilia in the 125cc class, and won his first World Championship the following year. Rossi’s career would see him go on to win nine Grand Prix World Championships, score 87 wins in 500cc/MotoGP, and many more accolades. This visual biography covers this incredible racer’s journey, his victories, rivalries, and transitions from brand to brand. See his incredible battles against the likes of Max Biaggi, Sete Ginbernau, and Dani Pederosa, and why they inspired three films (Faster, Fastest, Hitting the Apex). Get to know Rossi’s incredible charm and wit, and why he has achieved rock-star status among racing fans.