Ingles Individual David Aguilar Hernandez

THE BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDER OF OUR TIMES

MotoGP is the most important championship of motorcycles in the world, it has nineteen
races around the world in a year. There are twenty-two riders in this competitions from different
countries and there is only one champion.

One of this champions is Valentino Rossi, he is kwon as “the doctor” too, from Urbino, Commented [1]: These

Italy, he is one time 125cc world championship in 1997, one time 255cc world championship in Commented [2]: Champion

1999 and seven times MotoGP world championship in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 and Commented [3]: Champion
Commented [4]: Champion
2009, nine titles overall.

There are others champions in MotoGP, then what is different about Rossi? Well, because Commented [5]: Other

he is still running in the world championship with forty years old and he is still winning races
against the rookie riders.

His debut was in 1996 in the 125cc category, in 1997 won his first title with Aprilia Team,
in 1998 he moved up to the 255cc category with Aprilia Team too, he won his second title in 1999
with 309 points, and he was winning a lot of fans around the world. His bike number “46” was
known for everybody. Commented [6]: By

In 2000 he moved up to the 500cc category (now MotoGP), that year Rossi was the best
rookie rider getting the second place with the Honda Team, the next tree years he won the world
championship consecutively.

In the year 2002 the 500cc category changed to MotoGP, the riders had to use the new
900cc bikes, but Rossi didn´t feel the changed, he was the best biker.

Finally, Rossi signed for two years with Yamaha Team in 2004, and he won that year and
the next year too. He became the only rider to win consecutive races with different manufactures.

Rossi won in 2008 and 2009, with nine titles Rossi signed for two years with Ducati Team,
the Italian manufacturer. The most difficult bikes in MotoGP, he could not win any race. That
period was the most terrible for Rossi and his fans, all people thought that Rossi would give up his
career and he would retire. But instead of that, he returned with Yamaha team in 2013, his actual
team, with 33 years old. He has won a lot of races but he has not won other championship since
2009.
Ingles Individual David Aguilar Hernandez

Then, why he is still considering one of the best riders in the world?

I have listened young people to do this question. Obviously he is one of the best riders Commented [7]: Eliminate this word.

with his nine championship, Rossi is part of the MotoGP history. Actually, he is the pilot with more
podiums (229) in the story of world motorcycling, besides he has gotten the majority number of
victories (89), podiums (196) and fast laps (75) in MotoGP.

But I think the most important is that he is the most popular rider in MotoGP. His partners
have admired him since they were children. People love him although he cannot win races
anymore. In fact, I can say that he is more popular than the actual championship rider.

However, maybe Rossi cannot win races but he is usually in the best position in the
careers. He last victory was in October 2017 in Netherlands. But for the three last seasons he has Commented [8]: His

been in the second or third final position.

Since dominating the 500 cc category later known as MotoGP, "The Doctor" has become
the nickname of choice for Rossi. He often jokes, however, that the name arrived because in Italy,
Rossi is a common surname for doctors. But actually there is not a real reason for that nickname.

He has always raced with the number No. 46 in his motorcycle grand prix career, the
number his father had raced with in the first of his 3 grand prix career wins in 1979. Rossi has
stayed with the now-famous No. 46 throughout his career.

Besides, he is popular for his amazing design of his helmets. Rossi always uses a sun, a
moon pictures, signifying (according to Rossi) the two sides of his personality, and the yellow color
in his designs. Every year he designed a new helmet in the Italian Grand Prixin. He has more fans in
Italian Grand Prix than in another place therefore all his fans wait for the new helmet. His Commented [9]: Other

helmets are very popular around the world, actually I have one of them that Rossi used in 2009. It Commented [10]: Places

is amazing.

Rossi is superstitious and renowned for his rituals before to start a race, he always kneels
down in front of his bike and “talk” with it, Rossi has said “the bike is like a woman, don’t get Commented [11]: Talks

angry, it is not a piece of iron, it has soul because such a beautiful thing cannot lack a soul”.

He also created his own academy of riders “VR46 academy”, he has been teaching to
younger students, the students don’t pay anything, and they have equipment, bikes and English
class. The only one condition is that Rossi prepared them for the races and when the students
Ingles Individual David Aguilar Hernandez

have a place in his Racing Sky Team VR46 in the world championship, they have to grant their ten
percent of their salary to the academy in order to prepare other young riders.

I heard about Rossi in 2017, since then I have followed his career, Rossi has said “I can stay
in my house seeing my awards or I can continue running”. I think that he continues running for
passion, to love to the speed, for his fans, etc. Rossi is not married; he doesn’t have any children. Commented [12]: For

His life is above of a bike; he is always training in his moto ranch, he is not tired and he keeps the Commented [13]: Eliminate

motivation to compete. Rossi has the longest career in the world championship and he has signed
until 2020 with Yamaha team when he will be 41 years old.

In fact, in this 2019 season, with tree races finished, Rossi is in the second place on the
scoreboard. He is amazing, with 40 years old, he continues fighting to get his ten title of MotoGP,
Rossi is the example of perseverance and effort, and for that reason I admire him. I always think in
his phrase: “What would have happened if I had not tried?”. Then I always try it.

Rossi has become in the best motorcycle of our times, for me and for many generations, Commented [14]: Eliminate

he is a legend now. Perhaps there will be other riders considered as legends but nobody like Rossi. Commented [15]: Rider of