Motorcycle racing has been thought of as dangerous for as long as it has been going on. Up until about eight years ago, almost all of the riders in motorcycle racings premier level, Moto Grand Prix, had all blended together. Then the young, competitive, and full hearted Italian Valentino Rossi arrived; a rider who has become the pinnacle of the sport of motorcycle racing. Valentino’s quest for success was in no way an easy one, the Italian had to triumph over many obstacles in order to get where he is today. Valentino Rossi has worked prove skeptics wrong throughout the years of his racing career. From the media working to cloud his mind by starting false rumors and creating drama with other riders, to even his teachers while he was in high school doubting that he could make a living off racing. Teachers in his high school even went so far as to tell him that racing was stupid and he would never amount to anything. “Can’t you see that all you do is hurt yourself with those silly motorbikes? Quit the bikes, and focus on studying, it will be much better for you.” (p.87) Since Valentino had a dream of becoming something that deviated from the norm (such as studying and becoming a doctor, professor, or other professions that involve studying in school) he was labeled by teachers as a failure that would never amount to anything. Teachers constantly told him he could and would not be successful, trying to unmotivated him from following his dream in order conform and become more like everyone else. He has overcome this label and has risen to the top of the social classes with his dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer. References Rossi, Valentino. What If I Had Never Tried It : The Autobiography. Trans. Gabriele Marcotti. Osceola: Motorbooks, 2006.