Valentino Rossi is one of the best professional motorcycle racers ever and has built up a net worth of $120 million. The 35 year old Italian is a living legend in his sport and has accomplished a ridiculous amount in his ongoing career. He has won nine Grand Prix World Championships and is one of the most decorated racers of all time, but that’s all general stuff. Here’s five things you didn’t know about Valentino Rossi.
5. The Sun & Moon Motif
Valentino Rossi has had a ton of different helmets throughout his career, but on each of them he usually has the sun & moon motif. He likes the look and claims that the design also reflects his personality.
4. He’s a Huge Internationazionale Fan
Although Valentino Rossi is very good at keeping his personal life hidden out of the news, he does not try to hide his huge love for soccer team Inter Milan. Rossi follows the team and is a die hard fan and when he won his ninth world title the team congratulated him on their website.
3. Like Father, Like Son
Valentino’s father was the great racer Graziano Rossi. Graziano had Valentino on a bike from the day he was born and very quickly had Valentino in a 60cc kart. It wasn’t long before the child wanted to go faster and his father bumped him up to a 100cc motor at age 5. Valentino won his first regional kart race at the age of 11 and it was clear that he was going to be doing this for life.
2. Superstitions
Valentino Rossi is a firm believer in superstition and has developed an entire pre-race routine that he follows every time. It starts with him kneeling and bowing his head next to his bike, getting on and off the same way and putting on his gloves a certain way. Whatever he seems to be doing is working because Rossi has built up one nice racing career.
1. Tax Trouble
In 2007 Rossi ran into trouble with the government who accused him of tax evasion. It was believed that Rossi had avoided declaring around $160 million in earnings between 2000-2004. Despite there being a long and drawn out investigation into his career and sponsorships, Rossi was able to settle with the court for $60 million and avoid further problems.
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