Race 1 Japan/2002/Suzuka The first MotoGP race saw three different manufacturers on the podium with Valentino Rossi (Honda) winning from Akira Ryo (Suzuki) and Carlos Checa (Yamaha). Wild-card Ryo is the only rider in the MotoGP era so far to finish on the podium using Dunlop tyres.

Race 5 Italy/2002/Mugello In practice for the Italian Grand Prix, Regis Laconi riding an Aprilia became the first MotoGP rider to record a speed of more than 200 mph.

Race 10 Czech/2002/Brno Max Biaggi, riding a Yamaha, became the first non-Honda winner in the MotoGP era.

Race 12 Rio/2002/Jacarepagua Valentino Rossi wins in Brazil to take the first MotoGP title with four races of the season still remaining

Race 13 Pacific/2002/Motegi Alex Barros wins during his first race on a Honda RC211V. Team-mate Loris Capirossi finishes third and is the last rider to finish on the podium in MotoGP using a two-stroke machine. Kawasaki's MotoGP machine makes its race debut with Akira Yanagawa.

Race 15 Australia/2002/Phillip Island Jeremy McWilliams starts from pole on his Proton KR machine - the last ever pole for a two-stroke in the MotoGP class.

Race 17 Japan/2003/Suzuka Daijiro Kato suffers fatal injuries after an accident on the third lap. Ducati finishes third on its MotoGP debut with Loris Capirossi.

Race 19 Spain/2003/Jerez Loris Capirossi gives Ducati its first ever pole in the premier-class, qualifying just 0.01 seconds in front of team-mate Troy Bayliss

Race 22 Catalunya/2003/Barcelona Ducati takes its first ever victory in the premier-class in the hands of Loris Capirossi.

Race 26 Czech/2003/Brno Britain's Chris Burns becomes the last ever rider to race a two-stroke machine in the MotoGP class.

Race 30 Malaysia/2003/Sepang Valentino Rossi wins the race and takes his third world title.