A revised and updated authoritative illustrated history of high-performance motorcycle racing, with exclusive contributions from the greatest names in the history of the sport MotoGP has a great past and a thrilling present and it is all celebrated here in this stunning volume, updated to include the amazing and tragic 2011 season. The daring exploits of race legends Valentino Rossi, Barry Sheene, Casey Stoner, and John Surtees are all gloriously celebrated. Packed with more than 150 stunning photographs, many of which have been rarely published, this authoritative and long-overdue illustrated history celebrates high-performance motorbike racing since the start of the world championship in 1949. Each racing decade is dissected and discussed, as are the big incidents, top personalities, and technological innovations. To complete the book, motorcycle racing"s greatest names—including Nicky Hayden, John Surtees, Giacomo Agostini, Kenny Roberts, Valentino Rossi, and Casey Stoner—provide exclusive personal insights and accounts of what it is like to race at speeds of 180mph.