2000 500cc Class
After proving his talent at the 125cc and 250cc levels Rossi took the leap into the 500cc MotoGp Championships in 2000 and started racing for the Nastro Azzurro works supported Honda team. It was his move to this team that saw Rossi pair up with Jeremy Burgess, the chief mechanic that would prove to be a vital ingredient in Valentino Rossi’s future success. Rossi’s debut season at 500cc started poorly and he crashed out of the first two races, however, he adapted quickly and scored his first podium in April in Spain, and then went on to take his first 500cc victory at Donington Park in the rain.
More podium finishes at the next three races had him challenging Kenny Roberts for the series lead but a crash at Valencia ended his title hopes. Rossi took his second 500cc victory in Brazil towards the end of the season and this was enough to secure him second place in the Championship. Overall Valentino Rossi took two race wins out of 16 and took 8 podium places – Rossi finished the 2000 MotoGP season in 2nd position with 209 points.
2000 Rossi Helmets
Rossi Sun and Moon (Official 2000 Helmet):
Carrying his design over from his Championship winning 205cc season, Rossi brought his Sun and Moon design to the 500cc class, taking second place in the Championship and collecting 2 race wins in Britain and Brazil along the way.
