Italy's Valentino Rossi [Images] wrapped up his fifth MotoGP title in style by powering to victory in the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.

Rossi won his third MotoGP title for Yamaha on the team's home circuit at Motegi and sixth premier-class world championship overall after starting from fourth on the grid.

The 29-year-old only needed to finish in the top three to clinch the title with three races left in the 2008 season and he quickly overhauled rivals Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.

Rossi passed Honda's Pedrosa on lap six and defending world champion Stoner's Ducati on lap 13 before surging away to win his fifth race in a row.

Factbox on Rossi

* Born: Feb.16 1979 in Urbino, Italy [Images]

* His first passion was go-karts but follows his father Graziano by taking up motocycling and races in his first grand prix with Aprilia in 1996 in the 125cc category.

* Wins the 125cc world championship in 1997

* Moves up to the 250cc category and seals world championship in 1999 with Aprilia.

* Takes the 500cc world title with Honda in 2001 before winning the 2002 and 2003 championships as the event becomes MotoGP.

* Switches to Yamaha and secures the 2004 and 2005 world titles to become one of the sport's all time greats.

* Suffers disappointing 2006 and 2007 seasons but pledges to stick with Yamaha and his decision is justified when he surges to the 2008 championship.

* Nicknamed "the Doctor" in Italy, he has become one of the country's most loved sportsmen despite a tax evasion probe in 2007 which resulted him in paying a 35 million euro bill.

* Known for his colourful helmets, Rossi has also shown an interest in Formula One and rally cars, media often speculating that one day he will swap two wheels for four.

Photograph: Getty Images | Text: Reuters