Joining the 125cc World Championship in 1996, Rossi scored two podiums – including one win and one pole position in his rookie season – and, 22 seasons later, his ninth place that year remains his worst overall finish.

He won the 125cc title at his second attempt before switching to the 250cc category, where he finished runner-up to Loris Capirossi before again claiming the crown at his second attempt.

It was the same story in the then premier-class 500cc category – runner-up in his first year before winning in his second. However, the four-stroke era was better. He won four more consecutive titles before narrowly missing out in 2006 to the late Nicky Hayden.

He won again in 2008 and 2009 and desperately wants a 10th before he calls it a day. A savvy businessman, he is a team owner in both the Moto3™ and Moto2™ categories with his successful Sky VR46 squads, while he also runs his highly successful VR46 merchandise company and presides over the VR46 Riding Academy.