MotoGP: 4 facts about Valentino Rossi that you probably didn't know

MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has registered a number of amazing records to his name in his storied MotoGP career. The nine-time world champion has achieved every possible milestone you can think of; there is very little left to conquer for the Yamaha rider as he approaches 40 years of age.

Valentino 'The Doctor' Rossi has been an icon of motorcycle racing for almost two decades, with 96 race wins and 189 podium finishes throughout his career.

He is currently contracted to race for Team Movistar Yamaha until the end of the 2020 season, by which he will be 41 years old. With Marc Marquez breathing down his throat, the Italian Rossi will be looking to win his first MotoGP World Championship since 2010, knowing very well that time is not on his side.

One thing is certain though - Rossi is the most popular MotoGP rider of all time. It is widely accepted that no other rider has had such an impact on the sport as Rossi has had.

Here, we take a look at a few interesting tidbits about Rossi that most people, apart from die-hard Rossi fans, would probably not be aware of:

#1 Only MotoGP rider to complete 'a lap of the world'

Valentino Rossi pulling off a wheelie with his bicycle at the MotoGP of San Marino

At the Spanish Grand Prix of 2018, Rossi completed his 40,075th km of racing on Lap 15 - equivalent to a lap around the world.

The Circuito de Jerez Àngel Nieto saw Rossi complete 8,730 laps or up to 40,075 km, enough to travel the circumference of the earth.

The feat is all the more jaw-dropping considering that the laps in consideration are only the actual race laps, and don't include the ones logged during practice and qualifying.

#2 Rossi is a big fan of Inter Milan Football Club

Valentino Rossi watching Inter Milan's Champions League clash against FC Barcelona at the San Siro

Rossi is a self-proclaimed die-hard fan of Internazionale, popularly known as Inter Milan.

When Rossi won the MotoGP World Championship in 2008 and 2009, Inter Milan officially congratulated their most famous fan. Rossi has been spotted at the San Siro cheering for his favorite club in Serie A matches.

However, in a 2008 interview, Rossi admitted that he was a fan of Sampdoria early on and switched loyalties to support the Nerazzurri only after legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo joined them.

Rossi repaid the compliment given to him by Inter Milan when they won the UEFA Champions League in 2010, as he sent them a congratulatory message.

#3 Rossi has test driven the Ferrari Formula One Car

Rossi test driving for Team Scuderia Ferrari in 2006

In 2006, Valentino Rossi agreed to test drive Team Scuderia Ferrari's Formula One car.

On the second day of testing, Rossi emerged the 9th fastest on the grid and was just a fraction of a second behind 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher.

Rossi, who has achieved so many laurels on two wheels, proved that he is no pushover holding the steering wheel either. His practice times were better than even seasoned Formula One drivers like David Coulthard and Mark Webber.

# Rossi is extremely superstitious

Rossi with his trademark helmet and cap

Every MotoGP enthusiast who has kept a track of Rossi's career must have observed his unique ritual before the start of every race.

These rituals may have started out as just another run-of-the-mill kind of thing. But after several years of doing it, it has become a habit that he seemingly cannot shake off.

Maybe as his successes on the track began to pile up, Rossi in some way started feeling that what he did before the start of the race was a sort of good luck charm.

First, right before he gets on his bike in the garage, he squats beside it and takes a moment or so to pray. In addition to this, he sometimes gently pats or kisses the bike. Then, right before the start, he fixes his helmet, his gloves and fidgets around with his gear.

Rossi once said in an interview, "It’s just a moment to focus and ‘talk’ to my bike, like moving from one place to the next."

Rossi also always puts on one particular shoe before the other and one particular glove before the other. He always gets on and gets off his bike in the same fashion - his right leg first touching the ground.

Rossi is also very particular about the design of his helmet; he took great efforts in ensuring every last detail was as per his specification.