What If I Had Never Tried It

The massive no. 1 bestseller - the life story of the world's greatest motorcycle riderValentino Rossi is the greatest living motorcyclist. His legions of fans adore him (over 4,000 turned up to see him in Leicester Square last March). He has fought through the 125 and 250 class groups to win the World Championships five times and has been ranked in the top three places at the World Championships for the last nine years. He is currently the MotoGP World Champion, and has won on a Honda bike - considered the best - and most recently on a Yamaha - considered the worst. He is arguably the greatest racer ever - and certainly the most entertaining - his post race antics and cheeky personality have won him as many fans as his on-track prowess. He is the kind of star who only comes along once in a while - a Muhammad Ali or Pele - hugely talented, massively driven, yet also scorching charismatic, unnervingly rebellious and totally endearing - a twentieth-century version of the hell-raisers of old.All who know Rossi say he is a consummate professional, that he works harder than anyone could ever realise, but that most of all, he still loves what he does. He just seems to win more because he's still enjoying himself so much.He is infamous for his on the edge riding, pushing himself and his bike to the very limits of what they can do, and screaming around racecourses in record times. But he is also well known for his good looks, his techni-coloured hair and cheeky humour - and for his sheer youthful exuberance in victory - his post-match victory laps have become a thing of legend. Previously he has driven victory laps in full beach gear, including flip-flops, with a man sized chicken riding pillion (and also, in a jibe to Max Biaggi who had an unceremonious break-up with the model Naomi Campbell, with a life size doll of Claudia Schiffer strapped on behind him.)His warmth of character coupled with his amazing career statistics to date - his first GP win aged 17, his first world title at 18, his first 500 class win at 21 and his first MotoGP win at 22 - mean that this young man has the motorcycle racing world at his feet. His raw talent coupled with his firm belief in the 'entertainment' aspect of his sport and the importance of his fans, means that he really is the David Beckham of bikes - he has done the near impossible and transcended his own territory. His appeal - being at the top of his game without being a purist, still being seen to be young and excited by the game, and being a perfectionist on and off the track when it comes to his driving - means that he really is one of the superstars of the sporting world.

Short-listed for British Book Awards: Sports Book of the Year 2006

“While the autobiography details everything you could want to know about him and his career, you don't need to be a bike fan to enjoy it. It is truly inspiring stuff ... to remain true to yourself and instead of following where the path may lead, to go where there is no path and leave a trail.”

-- Emma Parker Bowles The Sun

Valentino Rossi was born on February 16th 1979 in Urbino, Italy. He won his first GP aged 17, his first world title at 18 and his first MotoGP at 22. He currently rides for Yamaha and his main residence is in central London.

[NUMBER 46 ON BACK ALONG WITH PICTURE OF ROSSI RIDING BIKE IN BLURRY STYLE] First GP win aged 17. First world title at 18. First 500 class win at 21. First MotoGP win at 22. Current MotoGP World Champion. Living Legend. Valentino Rossi is the greatest motorcylcist on earth. Wherever he goes, legions of fans follow him, in awe of his professionalism and skill on the track, and his style and charisma off it. On the bike: Five World Championship wins. Top three ranking in the World Championship for nine years in a row. Wins on a Honda and wins on a Yamaha. Off the bike: Super-cool, scorchingly engaging, unnvervingly rebellious, with pop-star fame and charm. Valentino Rossi: Brilliant, talented, always relaxed, and very, very fast.

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