CAREER:

2007

·Won his second consecutive 250cc World Championship on the No. 1 Fortuna Aprilia over runner-up Andrea Dovizioso, earning 312 points to Dovizioso's 260 and recording a total of nine wins in the 17-race season … Victories were secured at: Qatar, Spain (Jerez), China, France, Netherlands, Czech Republic, San Marino and Australia … Failed to finish on the podium in only five races … Earned nine poles … Named on July 25 to partner with Valentino Rossi on the Yamaha factory team for the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.

2006

·Dominated the 16-race 250cc World Championship, earning eight victories and 10 poles on an Aprilia … Scored a total of 11 podium finishes … Scored first victory in 250cc competition at his home race of Jerez, the season-opening event … Other wins came at Qatar, Italy, Netherlands, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Malaysia and Australia.

2005

·Moved up to the 250cc World Championship with Fortuna Honda, earning six podiums (four second-place finishes, two third-place) in 15 events … First 250cc pole came at Italy, also the site of his first podium finish of second … Finished fifth in points.

2004

·Finished fourth in the 125cc World Championship points on a Derbi … Won three events, at the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Qatar, earned a total of seven podiums and two poles.