Valentino Rossi. The Doctor, The Goat, Rossi, Vale; call him what you want but as far as his parents are concerned, he?s only got one name. Valentino. But what?s in a name" Well you may be surprised what you can learn about him, by simply picking apart the letters in his name. Here are nine things you didn?t know about Valentino Rossi?

V is for Valentine?s day

If Valentino Rossi was born two days earlier, he?d have been born on St Valentine?s day. You might think that his parents named him Valentino because of this, but you?d be wrong. Because the Italians call Valentine?s day La Festa Degli Innamorati, so if they wanted to name him after Valentine?s day, they?d have to call him that. And that would be a rubbish name for a MotoGP rider. Or anyone for that matter. No, contrary to popular misconception, ?Vale? was not named after Valentine?s day.
A is for Aardvarks and Anteaters

No matter how hard he tries, Vale can?t help getting muddled up between aardvarks and anteaters. He knows they are different, but can?t remember for the life if him which one belongs to the order Pilosa and which to the order Tubulidentata. If he?s ever in a conversation that sounds as though it?s heading towards either of the small, insect eating mammals, he?ll quickly make himself scares, for fear of being left with egg on his chin.

L is for Lager-Shandy

Despite being a world-class athlete, rumour has it that Valentino absolutely loves a lager shandy. He?s said to have...