Having become only the second rider in history to break the 100 grand prix wins barrier last time out in Assen, Valentino Rossi has a simpler task ahead of him to claim another record in this weekend's US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.
Rossi has never missed a race since making his grand prix debut in the 125cc class, at the start of the 1996 season, and Sunday's US GP should see Rossi make his 158 successive start in the premier-class.
That equals the all-time record for most successive starts in the premier-class currently held by Alex Barros, as shown in the following list:
1. Alex Barros
158 GP starts Brazil/1992/Rio - Dutch TT/2003/Assen
2. Valentino Rossi
157 GP starts South Africa/2000/Welkom - Dutch TT/2009/Assen
3. Max Biaggi
127 GP starts Japan/1998/Suzuka - Valencia/2005/Ricardo Tormo
4. Shinya Nakano
125 GP starts Portugal/2001/Estoril - Valencia/2008/Ricardo Tormo
5. Norick Abe
119 GP starts Australia/1995/Eastern Creek - Malaysia/2002/Sepang
