Valentino Rossi is the world’s 51st highest-earning sportsperson, according to the Forbes report. Image: YamahaMotoGP.com.

Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi has come in at the half-way point of the release of Forbes’ 100 Highest Paid Athletes listing, with a combined $22 million in salary and endorsements.

The healthy pay packet earns him 51st place on the list which is topped by golfing great Tiger Woods, who banks a cool $78.1 million per year.

According to the Forbes report, Rossi collected $12 million in salary, and then earned a further $10 million in endorsements.

In relative terms it’s a far cry from his 2012 bankings  – estimated to be some eight million dollars greater and slotting him in as the 20th highest-earner.

The Italian is the only two-wheeled star present on the prestigious list, but one of a number of motorsport names that earn a healthy living from their profession.

Spanish Formula 1 driver, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso earns an even $30 million for his efforts, with Brit Lewis Hamilton pocketing $27.5 million. The pair are 19th and 26th respectively on the list.

The list, calculated from the June 2012 to June 2013 period, also includes three NASCAR drivers. Endorsement income is an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing fees.