Editing Valentino Rossi (section)

===500cc World Championship===
====Honda (2000–2001)====
=====2000=====
[[File:Valentino Rossi and Jeremy McWilliams 2000 Donington Park.jpg|thumb|right|Valentino Rossi and [[Jeremy McWilliams]] in [[2000 British motorcycle Grand Prix|Donington Park]]]]
After achieving the 250cc World Championship in 1999, Rossi was given a seat with Honda in what was then the highest class in World Championship motorcycle racing, the 500cc. Retired five-time 500cc World Champion [[Mick Doohan]], who had also had Jeremy Burgess as chief engineer, worked with Rossi as his personal mentor in his first year with Honda.<ref name="auto5">{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/motorsport/rossi-jumps-bikes-to-yamaha-20040201-gdx7zi.html |title=Rossi jumps bikes to Yamaha|date=1 February 2004|website=The Age|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123111532/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/motorsport/rossi-jumps-bikes-to-yamaha-20040201-gdx7zi.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also the first time Rossi raced against [[Max Biaggi]].

Rossi started off his first year in the 500cc class with retirements in the first two rounds: he crashed out of the South African and Malaysian races.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/892489/1/rossi-i-thought-why-are-they-so-slow-and-crashed |title=Rossi: I thought 'why are they so slow?'… and crashed!|date=29 March 2018|website=Crash|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210727/https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/892489/1/rossi-i-thought-why-are-they-so-slow-and-crashed|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/04/02april00gp/ |title=Roberts Victorious in Rain-Interrupted Malaysian 500 GP|date=2 April 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210733/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/04/02april00gp/|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored points in the third round in Japan and picked up two third-place finishes in Spain and France.<ref>Archived in [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/-4onkWrjLEU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200507105940/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4onkWrjLEU&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4onkWrjLEU |title=Video |via=YouTube |access-date=21 August 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/05/14may00gp/ |title=Defending 500 GP Champion Criville Victorious in French GP|date=14 May 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210725/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/05/14may00gp/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rossi picked up additional points in Italy and another third-place podium finish in the Catalan round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/06/11june00gp/ |title=Roberts (500) and Jacque (250) Victorious in Catalunya GP|date=11 June 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210805/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/06/11june00gp/|url-status=live}}</ref> He gained more points by finishing sixth in the [[2000 Dutch TT]].

Rossi's first 500cc victory came after a fierce battle with the [[Suzuki]] of [[Kenny Roberts Jr.]] and the Aprilia of Jeremy McWilliams. On a track that was affected by ever-changing weather conditions and despite only qualifying in seventh position on Saturday, the Italian chose the right tyers and stormed through the field to battle with Roberts Jr. and McWilliams and win his first race in the 500cc class.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/68847/1/rossi-wins-despite-mcwilliams-grit.html |title=Rossi wins despite McWilliams grit|date=9 July 2000|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716120811/http://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/68847/1/rossi-wins-despite-mcwilliams-grit.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/07/09july00fimgpfinal/ |title=Rossi (500) and Waldmann (250) Win Donnington GP|date=9 July 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210723/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/07/09july00fimgpfinal/|url-status=live}}</ref>
After his victory in [[Donington Park]], Rossi went on to score consecutive podium places in the next three races: two second-place finishes in Germany and the Czech Republic and one third-place finish in Portugal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/07/23july00finalgermangp/ |title=Barros (500) and Jacque (250) Take Victory in German GP|date=23 July 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210723/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/07/23july00finalgermangp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/08/20aug00finalbrnogp/ |title=Biaggi (500) and Nakano (250) Victorious in Brno GP|date=20 August 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210737/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/08/20aug00finalbrnogp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/09/03sept00finalestorilgp/ |title=McCoy (500) and Katoh (250) Victorious in Estoril GP|date=3 September 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210753/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/09/03sept00finalestorilgp/|url-status=live}}</ref> He retired from the [[Valencian Community]] round after a crash.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/09/17sept00finalvalenciagp/ |title=McCoy (500) and Nakano (250) Victorious in Valencia GP|date=17 September 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210805/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/09/17sept00finalvalenciagp/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rossi won the Rio round, but Kenny Roberts Jr. who clinched the 2000 title after finishing in sixth position, which gave him an unassailable lead in the championship.<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/68999/1/rossi-wins-but-kenny-conquers.html |title=Rossi wins but Kenny conquers|date=7 October 2000|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716122041/http://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/68999/1/rossi-wins-but-kenny-conquers.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/10/07oct00finalriogp/ |title=Roberts Clinches 500 Title; Rossi (500) and Katoh (250) Take Race Victory in Rio|date=7 October 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210743/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/10/07oct00finalriogp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Archived in [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/8YafMm8TxCk Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20180521205136/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YafMm8TxCk Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YafMm8TxCk |title=#RacingTogether: Roberts Jr. crowned champion in Rio|date=13 July 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After his second 500cc win, Rossi went on to finish second in the Pacific race and third in the Australian races.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/10/15oct00finalmotegigp/ |title=Roberts (500) and Katoh (250) Win in Motegi GP|date=15 October 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210723/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/10/15oct00finalmotegigp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/10/29oct00australiangpfinal/ |title=Biaggi (500) and Jacque (250) Win Final GP; Jacque 250 Champion|date=29 October 2000|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415210825/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2000/10/29oct00australiangpfinal/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sia_sk_K2q8| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101115349/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sia_sk_K2q8&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=1 January 2014 | url-status=dead |title=MotoGP™ Classics – Phillip Island 2000|date=1 January 2014|via=YouTube}}</ref> He finished second in his rookie season in the 500cc class with 209 points.

=====2001=====
[[File:Honda NSR500 2001.jpg|thumb|right|[[Honda NSR500]] used by Rossi in the {{MGP|2001}} season]]
Rossi dominated his second season in the 500cc class, scoring 11 wins and only finishing off the podium three times. He started the year off with a victory in [[2001 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix|Japan]] after battling with Max Biaggi. He then achieved back-to-back poles and race wins in the South African and Spanish rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/04/08april01finalsuzukagp/ |title=Rossi (500) and Katoh (250) Take Suzuka GP|date=8 April 2001|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416082526/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/04/08april01finalsuzukagp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/04/22april01finalsouthafricagp/ |title=Rossi (500) and Katoh (250) Take South African GP|date=22 April 2001|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416082524/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/04/22april01finalsouthafricagp/|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished the French race in third place but crashed out of the Italian round whilst leading the wet race after taking another pole on Saturday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/05/20may01finalfrancegp/ |title=Biaggi (500) and Katoh (250) Victorious in French GP|date=20 May 2001|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416082540/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/05/20may01finalfrancegp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/06/03june01mugello/ |title=Barros (500) and Harada (250) Win Wet Mugello GP|date=3 June 2001|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416082543/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/06/03june01mugello/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/06/02june01mugellogpqualifying/ |title=Rossi (500) and Harada (250) on Pole for Mugello GP|date=2 June 2001|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416082600/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/06/02june01mugellogpqualifying/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rossi won from pole position at the following race in Catalunya, despite making a poor start and dropping to 15th place at the end of the first lap.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/06/17june01catalunyagp/ |title=Rossi (500) and Katoh (250) Victorious in Catalunya GP|date=17 June 2001|website=Motorcycledaily.com|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416082542/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2001/06/17june01catalunyagp/|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored a second place after narrowly losing out on the race victory to Biaggi in the Dutch round. He followed this up with another win: this time the [[British Grand Prix|British GP]].

Rossi finished seventh in [[2001 German motorcycle Grand Prix|Germany]] but then took back-to-back wins in the [[2001 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix|Czech Republic]] (gaining a 29-point advantage over Biaggi) and [[2001 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix|Portugal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/69865/1/rossi-to-sacrifice-gps-for-glory |title=Rossi to sacrifice GP's for glory?|date=5 September 2001|website=Crash|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019125809/https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/69865/1/rossi-to-sacrifice-gps-for-glory|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/69906/1/rossi-rules-in-estoril-biaggi-crashes-again |title=Rossi rules in Estoril – Biaggi crashes again|date=9 September 2001|website=Crash|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729124401/https://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/69906/1/rossi-rules-in-estoril-biaggi-crashes-again|url-status=live}}</ref> He had a disappointing result in the [[2001 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix|Valencian Community]] round where he finished in 11th place, but then scored a string of race wins from the Pacific to the Rio rounds.

Rossi won his first 500cc title with 325 points and third title overall,<ref>{{cite web|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/70088/1/valentino-rossi-500cc-world-champion.html |title=Valentino Rossi: 500cc World Champion|date=14 October 2001|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716110146/http://www.crash.net/motogp/race-report/70088/1/valentino-rossi-500cc-world-champion.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 106 points ahead of Biaggi, who had been Rossi's main rival during the season. During the season, Rossi also teamed up with American rider [[Colin Edwards]] for the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race aboard a [[Honda RC51|Honda VTR1000SPW]], becoming the first Italian rider to win the race. The pair won the race despite Rossi's lack of experience racing [[superbike racing|superbikes]].