How Rossi changed two-wheels forever

The last decade of MotoGP has belonged, almost exclusively, to Valentino Rossi. Jamie O'Leary looks back over the last ten years of premier class bike racing and how the flamboyant Italian was at the heart of it

A legend emerges

As we look back now, it is hard to believe that at the beginning of 2000, MotoGP was not actually MotoGP. Instead, it was 500cc two-strokes. Valentino Rossi had not yet ridden a race, and the rules for MotoGP's 990cc had not even been announced.

We went through the fantastic five years of 990s, motorcycling's answer to the Group B rally cars of the eighties; then into 800s; and now we have the rules announced for the new 1000cc era in 2012. What other decades can boast that? None.

To continue reading this feature...

You must have an AUTOSPORT subscription. Prices start from just $1.43 per week and give you full unrestriced access to all PLUS features. View package options? Magazine subscriber?