Valentino Rossi '2010 season review'

Starting the season with a victory in Qatar it appeared to be ‘business as usual’ for Valentino Rossi, but 2010 was to be a year like no other for the Fiat Yamaha man. Podiums at Jerez and Le Mans followed – all the while struggling with a shoulder problem after a motocross accident which followed the Qatar race – before the 31 year-old’s season was turned on its head by the crash in practice at Mugello, which put him out of action for four races with a broken leg.

After testing the water with two private tests to gauge his fitness, a return to racing in Germany ended with fourth position and a podium at Laguna Seca in the next round merely served to highlight the Italian’s determination and quality.

Claiming a 46th win with Yamaha at Sepang (one of seven podium finishes obtained after his return from injury), Rossi rounded off the season and his seven-year partnership with the Japanese factory with third place in the 2010 Championship before his much-heralded switch to Ducati for 2011.

You can review Rossi’s campaign in the attached motogp.com video, which highlights the major points of his season.