The winning got started at Brno for Rossi image by riles and nelson

Where did Valentino Rossi win his first ever Grand Prix race? It was at Brno in 1996. Then 17 years old, the world championship rookie took the win on a 125cc Aprilia that day.

Up to Brno, Rossi spent a lot of his time in gravel traps, unable to harness his natural talent into race victories. It came good in the Czech Republic, as Rossi won pole and took a 0.245 second win over vet Jorge Martinez.

That year started a pattern Rossi repeated in both 250 and 500 Grand Prix -- a learning year with plenty of crashes and mistakes interspersed with some brilliant rides, followed by a championship season.

Brno may have been the first, but certainly not the last. Rossi has earned seven World Championships and 85 more wins in his fabled career since then.