Rossi has been captivating fans since he won his first Grand Prix at the age of 17 and even in his final season, at the age of 42, he has been riding faster than ever. In this major new book by top MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley, each and every one of these races comes under the microscope, complete with perspectives about Rossi’s achievements, the controversies, his character, and analysis of his bikes. This is a Valentino Rossi book like no other.

*   Early days, from karting and minimoto bikes to a first GP win, on a 125 Aprilia in the 1996 Czech GP, then onwards to claim the 125cc world title in 1997.

*   Moving up to the 250cc class in 1998 brought four consecutive end-of-season wins riding for Aprilia, followed by a decisive title in 1999 with nine victories.

*   Grabbed by Honda to race its super-successful NSR500, Rossi graduated to the ‘class of kings’ for 2000, almost becoming champion that season — but the following year he sealed the last two-stroke 500cc crown with 11 wins.

*   MotoGP, for 990cc four-stroke bikes, took over and Rossi immediately reigned supreme aboard his Honda RC211V, securing back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003, before a surprise departure to uncompetitive Yamaha.

*   Rossi rates his first year with Yamaha, 2004, as his best: defying expectation, he won first time out on the YZR-M1 and took a fourth successive title with nine wins.

*   In six more seasons with Yamaha, 2005–10, Rossi collected three more championship crowns, his 2008 success especially sweet because it involved a fightback after two leaner years.

*   Rossi’s move to Ducati looked to be an appetising all-Italian prospect but his two winless seasons there, 2011 and 2012, were disastrous.

*   A return to Yamaha never quite recaptured his greatest glories, but Rossi was championship runner-up three times and came very close to another title in 2015.

This great value bundle is a must for all Vale fans, and gives you the opportunity to relive those sensational years of Rossi’s pomp when it looked like nothing and nobody could touch him.

The colour and excitement that he brought to the MotoGP experience will take a long time to fade, and there’s no doubt those first years of the 21st Century will remain a high point in motorcycle racing history.

Relive the joy and excitement of Valentino Rossi’s greatest seasons with this great value 8-DVD collection.

The sublimely talented and dazzlingly charismatic Italian stole the hearts of thousands of followers with his phenomenal riding talent.

In seven startling years from 1996 he rose to pop star fame, forsaking the crowds continually mobbing him in his home town of Urbino for the relative anonymity of London.

Born in 1979, the year of his father Graziano’s three 250GP wins, ‘the Doctor’ was always on a bike from two years old.

Entering GP racing in 1996 he won the 125cc World Championship in ’97, the 250cc in ’99 and the last ever 500cc in 2001.

With his awesome riding talent, intelligent tactics and amazing consistency he became king of MotoGP.

From his first appearances the blue-eyed mop top with the sunny disposition attracted a new following.

You just can’t resist someone who takes a serious business seriously, while making it look like it’s just a bit of a laugh.