![Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 champion in 500cc-class, takes a corner during the second official qualifying practice of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit in central Japan April 6, 2002. Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 champion in 500cc-class, takes a corner during the second official qualifying practice of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit in central Japan April 6, 2002.](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D3DJ7E/italian-motogp-rider-valentino-rossi-2001-champion-in-500cc-class-takes-a-corner-during-the-second-official-qualifying-practice-of-the-japanese-grand-prix-at-suzuka-circuit-in-central-japan-april-6-2002-rossi-will-take-the-pole-position-on-sunday-after-clocking-the-fastest-time-of-two-minutes-4226-seconds-on-saturdays-qualifying-practice-the-japanese-grand-prix-on-sunday-is-the-opening-race-of-the-2002-motogp-world-championship-reuterskimimasa-mayama-kmdl-2D3DJ7E.jpg)
Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 champion in 500cc-class, takes a corner during the second official qualifying practice of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka circuit in central Japan April 6, 2002.
![MotoGP Analysis: Rossi's MotoGP Title-Winning Racebikes, In The May Issue - Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News MotoGP Analysis: Rossi's MotoGP Title-Winning Racebikes, In The May Issue - Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News](https://www.roadracingworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/0520_ROSSI_Rossi-NSR500-2001-a_N_WEB_1590807140.jpg)
MotoGP Analysis: Rossi's MotoGP Title-Winning Racebikes, In The May Issue - Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News
![On this day in 2001, Valentino Rossi won his first premier class world championship (500cc). : r/motogp On this day in 2001, Valentino Rossi won his first premier class world championship (500cc). : r/motogp](https://preview.redd.it/lhen7vg0c0t51.jpg?auto=webp&s=239bf18dfb3d0e29fbb62a67c26a7180dbf79f68)
On this day in 2001, Valentino Rossi won his first premier class world championship (500cc). : r/motogp
![Italian 500cc motorcyclist Valentino Rossi gestures crossing the finish line and winning the Portuguese Grand Prix September 9, 2001. Valentino Rossi, riding a Honda, won the race in 47 minutes 25.357 seconds. Italian 500cc motorcyclist Valentino Rossi gestures crossing the finish line and winning the Portuguese Grand Prix September 9, 2001. Valentino Rossi, riding a Honda, won the race in 47 minutes 25.357 seconds.](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D3Y2K6/italian-500cc-motorcyclist-valentino-rossi-gestures-crossing-the-finish-line-and-winning-the-portuguese-grand-prix-september-9-2001-valentino-rossi-riding-a-honda-won-the-race-in-47-minutes-25357-seconds-reutersjose-manuel-ribeiro-jr-2D3Y2K6.jpg)
Italian 500cc motorcyclist Valentino Rossi gestures crossing the finish line and winning the Portuguese Grand Prix September 9, 2001. Valentino Rossi, riding a Honda, won the race in 47 minutes 25.357 seconds.
![Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 world champion in the 500cc-class, takes a curve during the first training session ahead of the Motorcycling Grand Prix at Jerez racetrack May 3, 2002. Rossi Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 world champion in the 500cc-class, takes a curve during the first training session ahead of the Motorcycling Grand Prix at Jerez racetrack May 3, 2002. Rossi](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D39J46/italian-motogp-rider-valentino-rossi-2001-world-champion-in-the-500cc-class-takes-a-curve-during-the-first-training-session-ahead-of-the-motorcycling-grand-prix-at-jerez-racetrack-may-3-2002-rossi-clocked-the-first-fastest-time-of-one-minute-42736-seconds-reutersmarcelo-del-pozo-mdpaa-2D39J46.jpg)
Italian MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, 2001 world champion in the 500cc-class, takes a curve during the first training session ahead of the Motorcycling Grand Prix at Jerez racetrack May 3, 2002. Rossi
![MotoGP Fan Zone on Twitter: "#OnThisDay 2001, Valentino Rossi on Nastro Azzurro Honda NSR500 became the 1st rider to win in all 3 classes at Brno https://t.co/aEGZQcmd2Z" / Twitter MotoGP Fan Zone on Twitter: "#OnThisDay 2001, Valentino Rossi on Nastro Azzurro Honda NSR500 became the 1st rider to win in all 3 classes at Brno https://t.co/aEGZQcmd2Z" / Twitter](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bu2Mj03CQAAR8wy.jpg)