Let's talk MotoGP: What is the best rookie vintage?

Augusto Fernández is guaranteed to be the rookie of the year. Indeed, he is the only one promoted from the Moto2 championship, a first since Tito Rabat in 2016. Sylvain Guintoli also found himself in this position in 2007. Conversely, certain years are particularly rich in talent. Today, we are going to look at the five best rookies in MotoGP. Of course, this is a subjective selection, and above all, made with full knowledge of the facts, because we now know what they gave. Last little clarification: Only the MotoGP era, since 2002, will be taken into account because there is already a lot to say. Are you ready ? Let's go !

I) 2003, the busiest

The outrageous domination of Valentino Rossi was not the only highlight of this 2003 season. Indeed, we have witnessed the first appearance of many big names in the premier category. The least known of them is undoubtedly Chris Burns, who did some digging for WCM on Harris or ROC Yamaha. With only one 20th place to go, it's meager. In 25th place, we find a certain Andrew Pitt, which already speaks to us more. If he had already done some freelancing in 2002 for Kawasaki, he completed his first full season with the greens, without much success. However, his career is more than honorable. Supersport world champion in 2001 and 2008, but also 5th in the Superbike world in 2006. It is only in MotoGP that the Australian has never shone.

 

 

For the rest, only monsters. In 15th place, Marco Melandri, one of the best drivers of his generation and 2005 world vice-champion. Two positions higher, Colin Edwards, second of Red at Yamaha which, unfortunately, never won a single race. Makoto Tamada, the last Japanese winner of a MotoGP Grand Prix at the time of writing, is 11th. All teenagers of the time remember his Konica Minolta RC211V which he later rode. It is not finished. Troy bayliss, on a factory Ducati, ranks 6th. If his career at the highest level did not live up to his talent, the missile “Baylisstic” nonetheless remains a Superbike legend, with three titles under his belt. And finally, the 5th is none other than Nicky Hayden in Honda Repsol, 2006 MotoGP world champion. What talents!

II) 2008, the strongest

Maybe not to the level of others, the 2008 vintage impresses with its homogeneity. Indeed, only four finishers, but what pilots. To start with Alex DeAngelis, one of the best drivers in small categories at the start of the century. At Gresini, the San Marino man immediately made an impact and was able to reach the podium. Same scenario for James Toseland, double Superbike world champion and who, also, within the Tech3 team, was subscribed to the top 10. Then, in 5th and 4th position, we find respectively Andrea Dovizioso et Jorge Lorenzo, which already combined three titles. Both did not disappoint, to say the least.

 

III) 2010, the generation of wasted talents

At that time, achieving good performances was particularly difficult in MotoGP. The 800cc grid was muzzled by the factory teams, and moreover, no satellite driver won between 2007 and 2015. However, the wave of rookies who swept through the championship this year is simply insane .

Among the 15e and 12e instead, we find four great surnames which have marked a generation. To start with Hiroshi Aoyama, followed by Aleix EspargaróAnd then Alvaro Bautista and Hector Barberá. We've done the math for you: This currently represents three world titles in all categories. But that's not all. In 8th place is none other than Marco Simoncelli, also crowned in 250cc and then considered a future great. In the meantime, Ben Spies, 2009 Superbike champion, delighted Yamaha Tech3 with a campaign that revealed him to the world, finishing in 6th position.

That year was particularly rich, but none of the drivers mentioned above really reached their full potential in the premier category, except big brother Espargaró thanks to his longevity. Of course, how can we not think of the unfortunate “Great Sic”, who could at least have scored numerous podiums or even victories if it were not for this cursed October 23, 2011.

IV) 2013, the new generation

Necessarily, the CRT class, created by DORNA in 2012 to fill the grid, attracted many new drivers. Quickly, we note the beginnings of Lukáš Pešek, Bryan Starring, Michael Laverty et Claudio Corti. But of course, this year's stars are other thieves. To start with Andrea Iannone at Pramac, very promising in Moto2, who failed in 12th place in the general classification. Bradley Smith entered at 10th place, and he too generated fairly high expectations after his thunderous debut at a young age and his move to Tech3 in Moto2. Obviously, how can we not mention Marc Márquez, crowned for his first year at the highest level. Is this the best rookie campaign ever? That's another debate.

The fact remains that these three drivers with strong character did not all enjoy success, but set the pace of the 2010 decade. It is impossible to forget them.

 

V) 2019, the vintage of champions

We are obliged to end with the year 2019, absolutely historic for the young guns. In fact, it is undoubtedly the best of all if we only judge the intrinsic talent of each person and establish an average. To start with Miguel Oliveira, one of the most brilliant of his generation and who already has five MotoGP victories. The 2022 world champion Francis Bagnaia was also making his debut at Pramac, and it was difficult to imagine his progress at the time. Joan mir also entered the rankings, at 12th place. Here again, it is impossible to predict what would happen a year later. Fabio Quartararo completes this exceptional vintage, with the only difference that its mastery was revealed much earlier. The youngest pole-sitter in history at Jerez, he crossed swords with Marc Márquez and already displayed the status of a great.

What is your favorite vintage? Have we forgotten any? Tell us in the comments!

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport