Spot on Stella, sat up and watched it myself and the guy has to be up there with the all time greats. Inferior bike but he has proved that it is the rider who makes the difference.

Didn't want to post anything in case it spoiled it for others but was sorely tempted to do so.

Yamaha have stated that they will be happy to carry the 46 number as well next year, (as they have said it is the man that matters) as Valentino wants to continue with it in recognition of his father (Grazziani - I think that how it is spelled) as that was his number. I personally think that is brilliant, and shows that Yamaha are not as concerned about the corporate image as some of the other majors are.

Ok, Honda allowed him to carry it also, but when you think how long it is since any other manufacturer took number 1, Yamaha have shown some great PR sensibility.

How many more championships can he win ????????

Btw, I may get the chance to be at the KDMC do in a couple of weeks, are you going (daft question really).

Malcolm.

Just look at this list and then tell me his not up there with the very best.

2004 - Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha

2003 - Rossi, Honda

2002 - Rossi, Honda

2001 - Rossi, Honda

2000 - Kenny Roberts Jr (U.S.) Suzuki

1999 - Alex Criville (Spain) Honda

1998 - Mick Doohan (Australia) Honda

1997 - Doohan, Honda

1996 - Doohan, Honda

1995 - Doohan, Honda

1994 - Doohan, Honda

1993 - Kevin Schwantz (U.S.) Suzuki

1992 - Wayne Rainey (U.S.) Yamaha

1991 - Rainey, Yamaha

1990 - Rainey, Yamaha

1989 - Eddie Lawson (U.S.) Honda

1988 - Lawson, Yamaha

1987 - Wayne Gardner (Australia) Honda

1986 - Lawson, Yamaha

1985 - Freddie Spencer (U.S.) Honda

1984 - Lawson, Yamaha

1983 - Spencer, Honda

1982 - Franco Uncini (Italy) Suzuki

1981 - Marco Luccinelli (Italy) Suzuki

1980 - Kenny Roberts (U.S.) Yamaha

1979 - Roberts, Yamaha

1978 - Roberts, Yamaha

1977 - Barry Sheene (Britain) Suzuki

1976 - Sheene, Suzuki

1975 - Giacomo Agostini (Italy) Yamaha

1974 - Phil Read (Britain) MV Agusta

1973 - Read, MV Agusta

1972 - Giacomo Agostini (Italy) MV Agusta

1971 - Agostini, MV Agusta

1970 - Agostini, MV Agusta

1969 - Agostini, MV Agusta

1968 - Agostini, MV Agusta

1967 - Agostini, MV Agusta

1966 - Agostini, MV Agusta

1965 - Mike Hailwood (Britain) MV Agusta

1964 - Hailwood, MV Agusta

1963 - Hailwood, MV Agusta

1962 - Hailwood, MV Agusta

1961 - Gary Hocking (Zimbabwe) MV Agusta

1960 - John Surtees (Britain) MV Agusta

1959 - Surtees, MV Agusta

1958 - Surtees, MV Agusta

1957 - Libero Liberati (Italy) Gilera

1956 - Surtees, MV Agusta

1955 - Geoff Duke (Britain) Gilera

1954 - Duke, Gilera

1953 - Duke, Gilera

1952 - Umberto Masetti (Italy) Gilera

1951 - Duke, Norton

1950 - Masetti, Gilera

1949 - Leslie Graham (Britain) AJS