By saying his (temporary) farewell to the world of
MotoGP, Andrea Dovizioso leaves a lot. First of all, the paddock will have to do without a friendly, respectful and very talented driver. But on top of that, a regular artist who is never absent.
Andrea Dovizioso has an untouchable record in MotoGP. In his 12-year career at the highest level, he never missed a start. This represents 229 races without stopping. A true sporting feat. Even more impressive,
he has not missed a start in his entire professional career since 2001.
Let's focus on this record in the MotoGP category only. Indeed, it's difficult to imagine "only" 229 races, so let's not even talk about an entire career. Before being injured at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix, Marc Márquez had also never missed a start since his arrival in the big leagues in 2013. CThis represented 128 departures, spread over seven years.
It was already a miracle when we remember the numerous falls of the Spanish champion. Everyone was shocked when he started the 2013 Italian Grand Prix, after his terrible crash on the main straight. This figure, 128, was therefore already exceptional. Jorge Lorenzo, who we imagine regular and dominant in his best years, has never reached such a number.
Now, let's put it into perspective with one of the current young drivers.
fabio quartararo has never missed a GP either, which is already not the case for Joan Mir or Takaaki Nakagami, yet regular and present in the premier category recently. “ The Devil » has 33 starts to his credit. At a rate of 19 races per season, which seems to have become the norm (excluding Covid-19), he will have to wait until the first third of the 2030 season to even match Andrea “Desmodovi”.
Andrea Dovizioso, regularity personified. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
He will be 31 years old and perhaps several world championships under his belt. These figures are dizzying, and allow us to better appreciate this incredible record left by the Italian. If Luca Marini, future rookie, wants to hope to equal the record, he will not have to miss a single start until the opening of the 2032 season.
When we talk about longevity, #46 quickly comes to mind. Where does he rank compared to his compatriot?
Red, present since 2000 without exception, will not beat Dovi's record. However, his record stands at 177 consecutive starts, from the 2000 South African Grand Prix to the 2010 French Grand Prix. Everyone remembers this terrible shin injury, caused one round later at Mugello.
The latter prevented him from running the next four races.
He could then hope to tickle (but not exceed) the official record, but a new injury at Misano in 2017 tarnished the picture. The counter therefore remained stuck at 130 units.
In this list, we only find pilots with exceptional longevity. Alex Barros is from this closed group (158), just like Colin Edwards (141) or
Max Biaggi (127). Everyone bows to Dovizioso, for a record that will take at least ten years to equal... If he doesn't come back soon!
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
