No need to make introductions:
Yamaha is undoubtedly one of the most popular manufacturers on the globe as well as in France. Beyond its worldwide fame, the brand with tuning forks has also been present in Grands Prix for decades without interruption. Today, she is a leading figure in the world championship, represented in MotoGP only. Its important legacy is also due to no less legendary drivers, and it is about them that this saga will be the subject. Together, let's look back at the 10 greatest drivers of the legendary firm.
This top 10 is entirely subjective, and the discussion is open! However, it is still a matter of establishing selection criteria in order to try to stick to the story as much as possible. Obviously, a victory in the premier category will logically weigh more than a success in 125cc and this will influence the ranking. Beyond pure statistics, it is also a question of loyalty and impact: those who, over the years, have established strong links with Yam' will have a chance of appearing high in the ranking.
The exercise is not easy, and aims above all to pay tribute in a fun way rather than to classify.
Il s’agit d’un top de “pilotes Yamaha”, et non pas de “pilotes
passés par Yamaha”. Exemple : Andrea Dovizioso ne
fait même pas partie des mentions honorables, malgré son talent qui
lui concéderait un top 10 aisément. Il n’a évolué qu’un an chez
Yamaha Tech3 (2012) et reste associé à Ducati.
Now that the rules of the game are established, we can begin! Let's start, as usual, with the honorable mentions. This is a question of Yamaha riders who were unable to enter the top 10, but who had to be mentioned.
The list of mentions is excessively long:
Christian Sarron à Bill Ivy Passing by John Ekerold, she is full of majestic talents. Bringing together only beautiful people. Colin Edwards is also there, as is Rodney Gould.
In the 1990s, no one forgot the great Gary McCoy which is also a little short to claim the top 10. Obliged to place one for our national Olivier Jacque, who fully deserves his place here. If Norifumi Abe gets closer to the ten selected, Maverick Vinales
is debated.
Gary McCoy: A driving style full of gliding and spectacle. Photo: Yamaha Community
Certainly, the Spaniard has never been able to challenge for a title since his arrival with the blues in 2017. His seven successes on his YZR-M1 speak for him, and not everyone in the top 10 has a such figures.
The debate for tenth place was long and tortuous. Who
Max Biaggi ,
Kent Andersson or Luca Cadalora was he going to manage to get into the club? The debate is very tense, but ultimately it is Luca who wins. Andersson had more success on Yamaha, that's undeniable. In lower categories though. The Swede, 125cc world champion in 1973 and 1971, is struggling despite his strong relationship with Yamaha.
Before Valentino Rossi, Max Biaggi was Yamaha's top rider. He fails to transform the attempt. Photo: Yamaha Community
biaggi, a notable figure in the world at the dawn of the 2000s, is even closer. It displays the same statistics as Cadalora in the premier category, and its finest moments can also be associated with Yamaha. Although he is undoubtedly, in absolute terms, a better driver, the ten years spent in the blue fold help Luca considerably.
Regardless, the debate exists.
Now that the table is served, all that remains is to enjoy! See you tomorrow for the reveal and presentation of places 10 and 9 in the ranking.
Cover photo: Oz
