Race 32 Valencia/2003/Ricardo Tormo Valentino Rossi wins for the first time at Valencia on his final appearance for Honda.

Race 33 South Africa/2004/Welkom Now riding for Yamaha, Rossi becomes the first rider to take back-to-back premier-class victories riding bikes from two different manufacturers. Also sets a new record of 23 successive podium finishes.

Race 36 Italy/2004/Mugello Rain forces the race to be stopped and restarted over a distance of just 6 laps remaining - the shortest ever grand prix race. Alex Barros, riding a Honda, clocks a speed of 343 km/h - the fastest speed ever recorded in a MotoGP race.

Race 39 Rio/2004/Jacarepagua Makoto Tamada becomes the first rider to win a MotoGP race using Bridgestone tyres.

Race 44 Japan/2004/Motegi Shinya Nakano gives Kawasaki its first ever MotoGP podium.

Race 47 Australia/2004/Phillip Island Valentino Rossi takes a narrow win in Australia from great rival Sete Gibernau, to become only the second rider (after Eddie Lawson) to take back-to-back premier-class titles on bikes from different manufacturers

Race 50 Portugal/2005/Estoril Alex Barros wins in Portugal after being fastest in every practice and qualifying session. The victory gave Barros the record for the longest winning career in the premier-class - his first 500cc victory having been in 1993.

Race 51 China/2005/Shanghai The first grand prix to be held in China is won by Valentino Rossi in soaking wet conditions from Olivier Jacque on a Kawasaki.

Race 56 USA/2005/Laguna Seca Grand prix racing returns to the US after a gap of ten years resulting in a first win for Nicky Hayden at his home GP.

Race 61 Malaysia/2005/Sepang Loris Capirossi wins the race with Carlos Checa third - marking the first time that Ducati had put two riders on a MotoGP podium. Valentino Rossi's second place was enough for him to clinch the MotoGP title for the fifth time.

Race 66 Spain/2006/Jerez Loris Capirossi wins the opening race of 2006 to lead the championship for the first time. It is the first time in the MotoGP era that Rossi has failed to win the opening race of the year. Dani Pedrosa becomes the first rider to finish on the podium on his debut in the premier-class since Biaggi and Haga at Suzuka in 1998.

Race 67 Qatar/2006/Losail Casey Stoner starts from pole in only his second appearance on a MotoGP machine