The Honda years: Rossi takes a dominant hold

2002 was the first year of the MotoGP 4-stroke machines, but this made little difference to Rossi as he continued his victorious ways in the new era of premier class racing having claimed the 500cc title the season before.

The second in a run of five straight premier class titles came with Rossi’s win in Rio de Janeiro, as a season made up of 11 wins saw the Italian make the podium in all but one of the 16 races that season – the exception being Brno.

The following season was to be Rossi’s last with Honda, and he signed off in style by doing what he only just failed to in winning the title the previous year by making the podium in every race of the 2003 campaign. Winning nine races along the way, Rossi was assured of the title at Sepang with one of those victories, and his celebration slogan of ‘Condemned to win’ added to his by now established reputation of a man who knew how to mark an achievement.

motogp.com concludes its series tomorrow by taking in Rossi’s four Yamaha titles to date with more celebration videos.