Valentino Rossi was one of the nominees for the 2010 Laureus World Sportsmen of the Year awards, held in Abu Dhabi last month – not the first time he has made the shortlist. In fact, March was a busy month, as he also received an award from the Italian Foreign Ministry for the image he portrays of his country on an international level. And how can anyone argue? One of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time, the 31-year-old has nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name – winning consistently since he first entered the Moto GP class in 2000 – and according to Sports Illustrated is one of the highest-earning athletes in the world.

He is also a man of many nicknames, the most popular of which seems to be ‘The Doctor’, allegedly awarded to him for the cold and calculating way he handles his opponents. Another of our favourites is GOAT, an acronym for ‘Greatest Of All Time’. But with so much success behind him, the question has to be asked if there is anything left for Rossi to achieve – although we wouldn’t bet on any lack of determination in turning those nine title wins into 10. The Fiat Yamaha rider has dominated pre-season testing so far, finishing top of the table in the Malaysian tests, setting a new track record at the Sepang circuit, and in the tests at Qatar’s Losail Circuit proving his rivalry with fellow rider Casey Stoner is still very much alive, as both shared the top spot on consecutive days. Rossi has kept the 2007 champion from regaining the title over the past two years, but it won’t be easy to keep him at bay for a third time, and this should make for a thrilling season.

Time Out caught up with Rossi during the Qatar testing, with the first Moto GP race of the year – a night race, no less – taking place at the track this month. How does it feel defending a title you have won nine times already, and is taking it a 10th time a reality? We made an appointment with The Doctor in our quest to find out.