The Guardian Angel: Rossi’s 250 title

It took Valentino Rossi a season to acclimatise in the quarter-litre category – as it had done in 125cc – before he secured the World Championship, but in his debut season in the intermediate class a runner-up spot was a highly impressive first attempt at the crown.

Having finished behind Loris Capirossi in 1998, a year later Rossi beat his fellow Italian – who finished in third place in the overall standings – with Tohru Ukawa second.

Rio de Janeiro was the location where Rossi claimed his second World title, in a season which delivered nine wins and 12 podiums in total on the Aprilia. Finishing the race at Jacarepagua in first place, with Ukawa and Capirossi completing the podium, Rossi was champion with a race to spare.

Further establishing his growing reputation, the 20 year-old’s celebration saw him riding with his guardian angel on board.

Tomorrow, motogp.com remembers Rossi’s 500cc title with another celebration video.