![Italian 500cc rider Valentino Rossi takes a curve during the qualifiying practice session on September 22, 2001 in the Cheste racetrack near Valencia on his way to clock the second best time. Italian 500cc rider Valentino Rossi takes a curve during the qualifiying practice session on September 22, 2001 in the Cheste racetrack near Valencia on his way to clock the second best time.](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D4JE80/italian-500cc-rider-valentino-rossi-takes-a-curve-during-the-qualifiying-practice-session-on-september-22-2001-in-the-cheste-racetrack-near-valencia-on-his-way-to-clock-the-second-best-time-also-italian-max-biaggi-clocked-the-best-time-for-the-positioning-on-the-starting-grid-of-the-valencia-grand-prix-reutersheino-kalis-reuters-db-2D4JE80.jpg)
Italian 500cc rider Valentino Rossi takes a curve during the qualifiying practice session on September 22, 2001 in the Cheste racetrack near Valencia on his way to clock the second best time.
![Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 world champion in the 500cc-class, takes a curve during the first training session ahead of the Motorcycling Grand Prix at Jerez racetrack May 3, 2002. Rossi Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 world champion in the 500cc-class, takes a curve during the first training session ahead of the Motorcycling Grand Prix at Jerez racetrack May 3, 2002. Rossi](https://l450v.alamy.com/450v/2d39j46/italian-motogp-rider-valentino-rossi-2001-world-champion-in-the-500cc-class-takes-a-curve-during-the-first-training-session-ahead-of-the-motorcycling-grand-prix-at-jerez-racetrack-may-3-2002-rossi-clocked-the-first-fastest-time-of-one-minute-42736-seconds-reutersmarcelo-del-pozo-mdpaa-2d39j46.jpg)
Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 world champion in the 500cc-class, takes a curve during the first training session ahead of the Motorcycling Grand Prix at Jerez racetrack May 3, 2002. Rossi
![The Illustrated History of Moto GP: The Illustrated History: Scott, Michael: 9781787394872: Amazon.com: Books The Illustrated History of Moto GP: The Illustrated History: Scott, Michael: 9781787394872: Amazon.com: Books](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91mp5+ZW9QL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)
The Illustrated History of Moto GP: The Illustrated History: Scott, Michael: 9781787394872: Amazon.com: Books
![Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 champion in 500cc-class, takes a corner during the second official qualifying practice of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit in central Japan April 6, 2002. Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 champion in 500cc-class, takes a corner during the second official qualifying practice of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit in central Japan April 6, 2002.](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D3DJ7E/italian-motogp-rider-valentino-rossi-2001-champion-in-500cc-class-takes-a-corner-during-the-second-official-qualifying-practice-of-the-japanese-grand-prix-at-suzuka-circuit-in-central-japan-april-6-2002-rossi-will-take-the-pole-position-on-sunday-after-clocking-the-fastest-time-of-two-minutes-4226-seconds-on-saturdays-qualifying-practice-the-japanese-grand-prix-on-sunday-is-the-opening-race-of-the-2002-motogp-world-championship-reuterskimimasa-mayama-kmdl-2D3DJ7E.jpg)
Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 champion in 500cc-class, takes a corner during the second official qualifying practice of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit in central Japan April 6, 2002.
![MotoGP Fan Zone on Twitter: "#OnThisDay in 2001, Valentino Rossi on the Honda NSR500 became the 1st rider to win in all 3 classes at Brno. #500cc http://t.co/aEGZQcmd2Z" / Twitter MotoGP Fan Zone on Twitter: "#OnThisDay in 2001, Valentino Rossi on the Honda NSR500 became the 1st rider to win in all 3 classes at Brno. #500cc http://t.co/aEGZQcmd2Z" / Twitter](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bu2Mj03CQAAR8wy.jpg:large)