A sporting icon rides into retirement on Sunday at the Valencia MotoGP where nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi’s name will grace the grid for the very last time. The charismatic Italian, 42, bows out with his place assured as one of the true greats of his or any other sport. 

Three decade-long career

For much of a career spanning three decades he was the master of the art of eking out every last unit of energy from his 157kg (25stone) metal charge to spellbinding effect.