Valentino Rossi: Cornering through time

Valentino Rossi is the only rider to have competed in every motorcycle grand prix season since the switch from 500cc two-strokes to 'MotoGP' four-strokes, in 2002.

Along the way the Italian has raced Honda, Yamaha and Ducati machines (using 990cc, 800cc and 1000cc engines) as well as Michelin and Bridgestone tyres, during both open competition and then the control tyre era.

But you don’t stay in the premier-class for 20-years, winning seven titles, without being adaptable.

The following animation gives an idea of how The Doctor has tweaked his riding technique over the years, from the body-up position on the early 990 bikes to the elbow-down style that has emerged in MotoGP during recent seasons.

The photos used were taken within a few metres of each other at the same corner - at Catalunya, Phillip Island and Sepang - between 2005 and 2019...

Rossi, who made his 125cc world championship debut back in 1996, is currently awaiting the start of his 25th grand prix season.

During this year, the Italian must also decide if he wishes to accept Yamaha's offer of a satellite M1 ride in 2021, or retire, having been replaced at the factory Yamaha team by Fabio Quartararo for 2021.

Rossi's most recent win, and his 89th in the premier-class, was at Assen in 2017. The 41-year-old, who stood on the podium twice last year, says he will only continue racing if he believes he is still competitive, having struggled with tyre wear issues for much of last season.