Grand Prix legends are a bit like the Legion of Honor in our green country. The feeling is mixed at the statement. We perceive the prestige but the multiplication of attribution erodes the value. Whatever. The MotoGP Hall of Fame continues to grow. Stefan Dörflinger and Jorge 'Aspar' Martinez thus achieving legendary status in 2019.
Twenty-nine drivers already populate the Grand Prix Hall of Fame, and two more will join them this season. Stefan Dörflinger et Jorge 'Aspar' Martinez will soon be able to call themselves MotoGP legends. The Swiss Dörflinger, born in Germany, will receive this award during the weekend at the Sachsenring. Martinez will be in the spotlight in Valencia.
Stefan Dörflinger was four times World Champion. Only thirteen drivers have won more titles in the long history of the championship. Dörflinger was twice crowned champion of the 50cc categories in 1982 and 1983. In 1984 this class was replaced by the 80cc category, but Dörflinger remained unbeatable. He regained the title and defended it in 1985.
The career of Dörflinger lasted from 1973 to 1990. He won 15 races in 159 Grand Prix starts and was on the podium 58 times. “I was shocked when I found out I would become a MotoGP legend", said Dörflinger. "I am very proud to be included in a group of such illustrious names. "
As Dörflinger, Jorge Martinez, nicknamed Aspar, won four world titles. In the 80cc category, Martinez was even the direct successor of Dörflinger as champion, winning the championship from 1986 to 1988 three times in a row. In 1988, the Iberian rider scored a double blow, pocketing the title of 125cc World Champion as a bonus, with no less than nine victories on the clock... out of 11 races contested at the time. This Spaniard, now team boss, will have finally raced through the 50cc, 80cc, 125cc and 250cc categories. Active until 1997, he accumulated the equivalent of 37 successes.
"Becoming a MotoGP legend is a great satisfaction for me", Explain Martinez. "The riders who achieve this status are the best in the history of motorcycling, and to be part of this group of almost mystical riders like Angel Nieto, Mick Doohan, Giacomo Agostini or Nicky Hayden is incredible. "
Stefan Dörflinger and Jorge 'Aspar' Martínez will soon join this list of riders, already named MotoGP Legends such as Nicky Hayden, Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson , Anton Mang, Angel Nieto, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Carlo Ubbiali, Alex Crivillé, Franco Uncini, Marco Unicini, Randy Mamola, Kork Ballington and Dani Pedrosa.
