Mat Oxley

This is the compelling story of how one of Japan's biggest motorcycle manufacturers stole a Nazi rocket scientist's engine secrets from behind the Iron Curtain to conquer the world.

The Biggest Spy Scandal in Motorsport History

Stealing Speed

This is the new fourth edition of a fabulous visual study compiled by one of the best bike racing journalists in the business. Compelling photographs and sharp narrative capture the larger-than-life character of Valentino Rossi both on and off the track. Rossi’s life is charted from his earliest days through to his domination of MotoGP, first with Honda, then with Yamaha, and now, for 2011, with Ducati to form a captivating all-Italian title challenge. This is a visual treat for all who appreciate Rossi’s talent and take on life in this age of conformist motorsport.

Portrait of a Speed God - 4th Edition

Valentino Rossi

Here is a glorious photographic biography of arguably the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. Over 250 fabulous full-color photographs capture the larger-than-life character of one of the world's most charismatic sporting personalities, both on- and off-track. Rossi's life is charted from his earliest days, following in his racer father's wheeltracks, his graduation through the ranks, winning the 125, 250 and 500 World Championships, to his domination of the 200mph MotoGP class, first with Honda, then in 2004 with the previously underperforming Yamaha squad. A visual treat for all who appreciate Rossi's talent and take on life in this age of conformist motorsport personalities.

Portrait of a Motogenius

Valentino Rossi's retirement brings down the curtain on an incredible career in the MotoGP motorcycle world championships. With his nine titles, including seven in the premier class, he is widely regarded as the greatest motorcycle racer ever, and his 26 seasons of Grand Prix racing make him unique across both motorcycling and Formula 1. Rossi has been captivating fans since he won his first Grand Prix at the age of 17 and even in his final season, at the age of 42, he has been riding faster than ever. In Valentino Rossi: All His Races, by top journalist Mat Oxley, each and every one of these races comes under the microscope, complete with perspectives about Rossi's achievements, the controversies, his character, and analysis of his bikes. This is a Valentino Rossi book like no other, with photos by Henk Keulemans, who was shooting grand prix racing when Rossi's father Graziano was winning races. Early days, from karting and minimoto bikes to a first GP win, on a 125 Aprilia in the 1996 Czech GP, then onwards to claim the 125cc world title in 1997. Moving up to the 250cc class in 1998 brought four consecutive end-of-season wins riding for Aprilia, followed by a decisive title in 1999 with nine victories. Grabbed by Honda to race its super-successful NSR500, Rossi graduated to the 'class of kings' for 2000, almost becoming champion that season -- but the following year he sealed MotoGP, for 990cc four-stroke bikes, took over and Rossi immediately reigned supreme aboard his Honda RC211V, securing back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003, before a surprise departure to uncompetitive Yamaha. Rossi rates his first year with Yamaha, 2004, as his best: defying expectation, he won first time out on the YZR-M1 and took a fourth successive title with nine wins. In six more seasons with Yamaha, 2005-10, Rossi collected three more championship crowns, his 2008 success especially sweet because it involved a fightback after two leaner years. Rossi's move to Ducati looked to be an appetising all-Italian prospect but his two winless seasons there, 2011 and 2012, were disastrous. A return to Yamaha never quite recaptured his greatest glories, but Rossi was championship runner-up three times and came very close to another title in 2015. Beautifully designed and comprehensively illustrated, this book is the complete record of Valentino Rossi's remarkable career in motorcycle racing.

All His Races

Traction control? Engine management? Acres of run-off? You’ve got to be joking: motorcycle racing's age of superheroes, 1988-93, was the zenith of two-stroke Grand Prix racing, when macho colonials slugged it out on evil two-strokes capable of 200mph. Even Valentino Rossi acknowledges this period as a special moment in motorcycle racing history, for he grew up watching Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, John Kocinski, Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner on TV as they bumped fairings and burned rubber around ultra-fast, lethal racetracks.

Ridin' Sideways through GP Racing's Golden Age with Schwantz, Rainey, Doohan, Lawson & Gardner

An Age of Superheroes

Twenty years of top bike racing tales from the world's maddest motorsport

The Fast Stuff

Fabulous full-color photographs capture the larger-than-life character of arguably the greatest motorcycle racer of all time and one of the world’s most charismatic sporting personalities, both on and off the track. Rossi’s life is charted from his earliest days, following his graduation through the ranks, winning the 125, 250 and 500 World Championships, to his domination of the 200mph MotoGP class, first with Honda and then in 2004 and 2005 with the previously under performing Yamaha squad. This is a visual treat for all who appreciate Rossi’s talent and take on life in this age of conformist motor sport.

Mat Oxley

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