Rossi's first race highlight for BBC's Parrish.

Steve Parrish, ex-motorcycle racer turned commentator, is famed for his voice on the BBC's coverage for MotoGP and British Superbikes. In an exclusive interview with Crash.net he describes his highlights from the world of motorcycle racing in 2004.

"One of the things that sticks in my mind will certainly be the first race of MotoGP," explained Parish. "Where Valentino Rossi came out of the starting-blocks on his Yamaha, and everyone said he would need a bit of time to get it together, and he went out and won the race, which surprised everyone. That was a great achievement on his behalf."

As well as commentating live for MotoGP, Steve commentates for the recorded highlights of the British Superbike championship on BBC1, and believes the entire season of BSB was a highlight for the season.

"I think watching the tremendous battle throughout the British Superbike championship between John Reynolds and Michael Rutter and those guys, and its been real ups-and-downs," he said.

"I remember when JR broke his collarbone at Thruxton and then came back (to win at the next round at Brands Hatch). He's a good friend of mine and I have great admiration for him so it was nice to see him take that championship. Rutter's got time to do it yet I'm sure."

Although having no direct involvement in the World Superbike championship, Steve is a motorcycle fan through and through. He has many friends in the series including Championship winner James Toseland, and followed the season closely.

"In world Superbikes it has got to be James Toseland winning the title at the end," continued Parrish. "I wasn't able to be there, I was in Qatar at the time but got back and watched it and it was such an achievement for him. I thought what he did was tremendous, he kept his cool, he was a very young man on that day and did a fabulous job."

The full interview with Steve Parrish can be heard in the Crash.net radio archive.