![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.
![Valentino Rossi on the NSR500 in 2001 - Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world - BikesRepublic.com Valentino Rossi on the NSR500 in 2001 - Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world - BikesRepublic.com](https://www.bikesrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Valentino-Rossi-on-the-NSR500-in-2001.png)
Valentino Rossi on the NSR500 in 2001 - Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world - BikesRepublic.com
![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.
![MotoGP Fan Zone on Twitter: "#OnThisDay in 2001, Valentino Rossi on the NSR500 wins the Japanese GP, giving Honda their 500th Grand Prix victory https://t.co/utHnv70RFJ" / Twitter MotoGP Fan Zone on Twitter: "#OnThisDay in 2001, Valentino Rossi on the NSR500 wins the Japanese GP, giving Honda their 500th Grand Prix victory https://t.co/utHnv70RFJ" / Twitter](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CfijPAkWsAAS9ct.jpg)