MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi celebrates his 39th birthday during day one of testing in Thailand today (ಌFriday💎).

Rossi won the 125cc title in 1997 and 250cc title in 1999, before making his premier-class debut on a 500cc Honda the following year. Runner-up to Kenny Roberts in his rookie campaign, Rossi romped to the final 500cc crown in 2001 and was cham🦹pion of the new four-stroke MotoGP in 2002 and 2003.

A switch to the struggling Yamaha factory𒉰 in 2004 sensationally brought instant title success, before Rossi's five-year run was finally broken💛 by Nicky Hayden in the 2006 Valencia showdown.

2007 saw a further defeat, at the hands of Casey Stoner and Ducati, before Rossi and Yamaha returned to the top in 2008 and 2009. A broken leg in 2010 was followed by an ill-fated move to Ducati and, after just three podiums in two seasons, he ret✱urned to Yamaha in 2013.

The Doctor 🍬has won ten races during his second chapter at Yamaha, finishing as title runner-up in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Chassis troubles and injuries left Rossi fifth in last year's standings, his lowest position as a Yamaha rider, but he was still able to celebrate victory at Assen a🔴longside five further podiums.

Unlike team-mate Maverick Vinales, Rossi is yet to sign a new contract with Yamaha t𝄹o confirm that he will race on beyond th♏e end of this season. However, encouraging form since switching back to the 2016-style M1 chassis means Rossi is expected to sign a new contract by the early stages of the season.

"I said that I want to wait until after all the tests because first of all I want to understand if I am competitive, if the bike is competitive," Rossi said at last month's Sepang test. "And also it's the worst moment ജof the season, so if I have enough power to make the tests, I will re-sign [laughs]!

"I have motivation🎃. I want 🌱to try to continue," he added. "The experience [with age] is important for sure. Physically you pay something [as you get older], but physical condition is not the most important thing."