MotoGP: Valentino Rossi: 20 years ago today...

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MotoGP: Valentino Rossi: 20 years ago today... -  MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi made his Grand Prix debut 20-years ago today, March 31st, in the 1996 Malaysian 125cc race at Shah Alam.

Here is a photo of the then 16-year-old at the event (copyright Gold and Goose).

The Italian finished the race in sixth place, 7.379s behind countryman Stefano Perugini, but went on to win in Brno later that year - the first of his 112 victories so far.

Rossi - now 37 and the oldest rider on the MotoGP grid - has won nine world championships, missing out at the final round in 2006 and 2015.

The Doctor will continue his quest for a tenth title during this weekend's event in Argentina.

By Peter McLaren