Rossi to match Barros MotoGP record

This weekend's Czech Republic MotoGP will see Valentino Rossi make his 245th start in the MotoGP/500cc class, equalling the all-time record held by Alex Barros.

The following list shows the top ten riders in terms of premier-class starts. Of the present MotoGP field, Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden are also in the top ten.

Seven time MotoGP champion Rossi made his 500cc debut in 2000 and has only missed four races since, due to a broken leg sustained in practice for the 2010 Italian Grand Prix.

The 35-year-old will comfortably break Barros' start record, having re-signed with Yamaha for the next two seasons.

Brazilian star Barros raced in 500cc/MotoGP from 1990 to 2007, winning seven races. One of his most memorable rides was at Assen 2002, when he battled Rossi and the Honda RC211V for victory on an NSR500 two-stroke.

500cc/MotoGP starts:
1. Alex Barros 245
2. Valentino Rossi 244
3. Loris Capirossi 217
4. Colin Edwards 196
5. Carlos Checa 194
6. Nicky Hayden 193
7. Kenny Roberts Jnr 167
8. Sete Gibernau 160
9. Jack Findlay 157
10. Randy Mamola 145