But his dream run came to an end in 2006 when accidents, technical problems and bad luck - combined with a consistent attack from
Nicky Hayden - saw the Honda rider claim the final 990cc crown. Things got worse in 2007, when Stoner and Ducati destroyed the opposition during the first year of 800cc competition, while Rossi and Yamaha slumped to third.
Rossi demanded improvements from Yamaha and a much improved 2008 spec YZR-M1, combined with Rossi's winter switch from Michelin to
Bridgestone tyres, resulted in victory at round four of the 2008 season.
"The decision to change to Bridgestone tyres, which I took together with Jeremy [Burgess], my team and all the Yamaha crew, was very important, as were the changes to the bike because the first 800cc M1 last year was not competitive enough," confirmed Rossi.
"We spoke a lot during last season and I remember a strange meeting in Valencia last year, me with a broken hand, speaking with [Yamaha technical boss] Furusawa about 2008. From then we started to work on the improvements for this season. It's also been important to have the right people in the right place and this year everything has been correct. It's been step-by-step."
After his debut 2008 victory in China, two further wins followed in as many starts, before Stoner and Ducati began a three race run of total domination. Rossi became increasingly worried, hustling the Australian into a mistake - which the #1 went on to repeat while leading at the next two rounds.
Rossi has been unbeaten ever since Laguna Seca, winning eight of the 15 rounds so far and, with three remaining, is still in with a chance of matching the eleven he won with Yamaha in 2005. Sunday's win was also Rossi's 70th in the premier class, his 96th in total and his 148th career podium.
"I think I have made a lot of good decisions this year and we have been competitive from the start," reflected Rossi. "Qatar was the worst race of the season but I knew our potential was good so, although we were a bit worried at that point, we weren't desperate because we knew if we fixed a few problems we could try to win.
