Valentino Rossi was born on February 16, 1979, in Urbino, Italy. He won his first motorcycle grand prix race at the age of 17, his first world title at 18, and his first MotoGP championship at 22. He currently rides for Yamaha, and his main residence is in central London.
Mike Nicks is a prolific journalist and author who has edited the British publications Bike, Classic Bike, Classic Racer, Motor Cycle News and Classic Car Weekly. In the USA he has worked on Motor Trend, Motorcyclist and Circle Track magazines. He has also written on cars, motorcycles, languages and business for the Guardian, Observer, Independent, Times, Sunday Times and DailyTelegraph newspapers in London. He has known John Surtees since the 1980s, when their shared passions for matters on both two and four wheels ensured a continuing friendship.