Valentino Rossi is the greatest premier-class rider of his generation and one of the best of all-time. Only an ignorant cynic would dispute that.

But if he had a chance to enter a time tunnel, in what era would "The Doctor" have liked to race? His answer will not surprise any long-standing Rossi-fans. The VR46 has long said his favorite rider growing up was Kevin Schwantz, and the two are close friends.

"I would go to the golden age of the 500, to make a season against Rainey, Schwantz, Gardner, Lawson and Doohan," Rossi said to British media.