ITALIAN VALENTINO ROSSI

Italian Valentino Rossi, nicknamed “The Doctor” and who always carries the yellow number 46 on his bikes, has won an amazing 7 world championships in the premier class of racing, Moto GP which used to be the 500cc class. He did this riding for 2 different manufacturers, Honda from 2000 - 2003 and then Yamaha from 2004 – 2010 and is currently riding a Ducati in an attempt to win a championship on 3 different bikes in the premier class.
 
He was no slouch in the other classes either winning a championship in both the 250cc and 125cc groups, riding an Aprilia both times. The statistics which speak for themselves – 258 starts, 105 wins, 175 podiums and 86 fastest recorded laps in a race – have ensured that Valentino gets massive support all around the world from a very appreciative and knowledgeable fan base.
At every Moto GP race, no matter where it is in the world, there always seems to be more people cheering on the number 46 than any other rider in the race, such is his appeal.

On 10 August, it was confirmed that Rossi would leave the factory Ducati team at the end of the 2012 season, after two seasons with the team. Later that day, it was also announced that Rossi would rejoin the Yamaha factory team until the end of the 2014 season, partnering Jorge Lorenz.