Rossi’s Winners

Valentino Rossi has won premier-class races and championships on three different bikes: Honda’s NSR500 and RC211V and Yamaha’s YZR-M1. This is their story

Story:

Photography: Riders Club, Honda, Yamaha

DURING HIS 20 SEASONS IN THE 500-cc and MotoGP classes Valentino Rossi has won seven world titles and a record 89 races. He spent four years with Honda, taking 13 victories in two seasons with the NSR500 and another 20 in the next two seasons with the RC211V, plus three titles. He has enjoyed by far the most success in his 14 years with the YZR-M1: 56 race wins and four world titles.

The NSR, RC211V, and YZR-M1 perfectly track the development curve of grand prix motorcycles over the past two decades, as engineers increased their knowledge of power delivery, chassis behaviour, and electronic rider controls.