THE LAST OF THE 500s
LOOKING BACK
Twenty years ago was the final year of 500cc two-strokes dominating the World Championship Grand Prix. In 2002 it would be a 990cc V-five four-stroke Honda, but 2001 belonged to Valentino Rossi and the NSR500.
Rossi had blitzed the opposition in both the 125 and 250cc classes (spending two years in each) on his way to the premier class. The year 2000 was a great season to move to the premier class: five-time champ
