Let's talk MotoGP: Who are the greatest legends?

You know all the MotoGP Legends, the very closed group of heroic drivers elevated to the rank of legends by the FIM. Every year, this hall of fame grows and new faces are celebrated. Yesterday, we returned to the case Andrea Dovizioso. Although he is not yet inducted, we firmly believe that he will be inducted in the near future. In order to understand all the issues of the question, we strongly recommend that you read this article, by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

Today we will attempt to create our own list of MotoGP Legends ! You will have understood, this is more of a fun exercise than serious work even if the case of each pilot has been studied at length., according to criteria that we established yesterday. To summarize, having a successful track record is necessary, but not enough. You must also have been “great”, have many legendary moments and/or extraordinary accomplishments, which sometimes go beyond the scope of sport.

These choices are completely subjective, but we would be happy to discuss them in the comments! So don't hesitate to give us your list, each one will be read carefully. But first, let's go over a few details.

 

 

I) Terms

Fortunately, the already existing list is quite relevant. Indeed, it is not uncommon to see halls of fame far too full, especially across the Atlantic. At the time of writing these lines, the MotoGP Legends are in number 36; a reasonable number. However, our selection will differ somewhat.

First of all, we decided not to include deceased drivers, like what was done by the FIM. As lovers of history, we believe there is no need for their names to appear in a list to remember and celebrate them. In our case, this applies to the late Nicky Hayden, Marco Simoncelli et Daijiro Kato. Warning: These were immense drivers, but here we are dealing with the greatest of all time, the cream of the crop, the most significant in history.

II) The list of 26

So here is our final list, made up of 26 heroes. Each pilot will be accompanied by some explanations, but without saying too much, especially when it is obvious. Furthermore, this is not a ranking: the order of appearance is random. We have already talked about the vast majority of drivers cited in dedicated articles. Click on the highlighted names if you are interested in their story. Last detail: only retired pilots are eligible for induction. Let's go !

Giacomo Agostini

That goes without saying. “King” Ago, 15 times world champion, is a more than easy choice. No need for explanations.

Jorge Lorenzo

An exceptional career, marked by five world titles including three in the premier category, and each time against other legends. A unique character in history, and a driving style that marked its era. Once again, the selection is easy.

Kenny roberts

The man who changed motorcycle Grands Prix. His revolutionary driving, rewarded with three consecutive world titles, is only the hidden part of the iceberg. He was the face of the sport, and largely helped take it to another dimension in the late 1970s.

Mike Hailwood

“Mike The Bike” is another logical choice. Obviously, his legendary figure, his legendary prowess and his nine world titles bring him in.

Kevin schwantz

A slightly more “questionable” choice given the prize list, marked by a “only” 500cc title. However, his aura, his strength of character and his legendary races must be rewarded.

Jarno Saarinen

Another difficult choice to make. A genius promised a great future, but cut short in his momentum. For his major influence on the years to come and the great figure he was even before his fatal fall in Italy, Jarno must be one of them.

Mick Doohan

Titled five consecutive times, perhaps the fastest driver of all time. An undeniable choice.

Ernst Degner

First selection which does not agree with the official list. Unlike the FIM, we select the great Degner, whose poignant story and legendary ride left their mark on motorcycle sport. We have published a retrospective of his atypical career, which you can find here.

 

Valentino Rossi

A young pilot in the making, you may have already heard of him… Obviously, “The Doctor” is part of the group.

Jorge Martínez

“Aspar” was an immense pilot, and his 37 victories in small categories are obviously valued. Furthermore, he is the last to win two world titles in the same year (80cc and 125cc in 1988), a feat which ranks him among the elite.

Casey Stoner

Always sliding, Stoner left his mark on his generation. His legend assures him a place in this restricted group.

Wayne Gardner

In absolute terms, the place of the “Crocodile” can be discussed, but like the FIM, we choose to keep it. His many legendary moments count for more than his single 500cc world champion title, acquired in 1987 on a Honda.

Angel Nieto 

What more can be said ? With thirteen world titles in his bag, it's an obvious choice. Moreover, we considerably value the coronations acquired in the premier category, 500cc or MotoGP. Few other small-displacement specialists, like Nieto, will be able to be elected simply on their Grand Prix record.

 

Eddie lawson

In our opinion, “Steady Eddie” can claim the title of greatest driver of all time. Being discreet does not mean lacking prestige! He is living proof.

Barry Sheene

Beyond the double-titled 500cc rider, it is the man who marked the end of the 1970s that we are rewarding with this nomination.

Geoff Duke

The first legend of this sport. Six times titled in the early 1950s, Geoff Duke is nothing other than one of the greatest riders in motorcycle history.

Rolf Biland / Kurt Waltisperg

Sidecars are the big forgotten ones MotoGP Legends ! However, the discipline was very popular, contested during Grand Prix weekends from 1949 to 1996. Certainly, it is a sport a little apart, but among Deubel, Enders, Webster and other shaker father, we have decided to reward the legendary Swiss duo Biland/Waltisperg, titled six times between 1979 and 1994. Rolf Biland was also crowned with another monkey in 1978.

Wayne Rainey

Mythical ride, immense talent and majestic career: There is no debate about the Rainey case.

 

 

John Surtees

An absolute legend on two wheels as well as four, Surtees is a myth in every way. His 1958 campaign is still, to this day, one of the most impressive in history.

Phil Read

The man who helped so much in Yamaha's development in Grand Prix racing must be included in such a list. Its seven crowns leave no room for hesitation.

carlo ubbiali

Another specialist in small categories, with nine titles up for grabs, in addition to his 39 victories. A golden career, no more, no less.

Kork Ballington

His four world titles amassed in just two years in 250cc and 350cc (!) ensure him a place in this very closed circle. Beyond the prize list, he embodies the Kawasaki epic in Grands Prix.

Anton Mang

Like Nieto and Ubbiali, his intrinsic talent in small cars and his 42 successes for five world titles ensure him a place in our hall of fame.

Jim Redman

One of the greatest Honda legends in Grands Prix, with a monumental track record (six championship titles, 45 victories). The Rhodesian is obviously part of the list. Despite the lack of participations in 500cc – two victories all the same, he never left the podium in a general classification from 1961 to 1966, that is to say 13 seasons!

Freddie spencer

“Fast Freddie” is the latest inductee. His 250cc-500cc double from 1985 is a legendary achievement, never to be duplicated in history again. If he left feathers and did not have the end of his career hoped for, his place is not even debatable.

III) The forgotten

Let's quickly go over those that we did not retain, in comparison with the MotoGP Legends. We deliberately omit 13 drivers, who are Dani Pedrosa, Stefan Dörflinger, Luigi Taveri, Hugh Anderson, Daijiro Kato, Nicky Hayden, Marco Simoncelli, Max Biaggi, Alex Crivillé, Randy Mamola (this choice was particularly difficult), Kenny Roberts Jr., Franco Uncini et Marco Lucchinelli. In short, we wanted to make a deliberately strict list but that does not mean that the forgotten ones were not great pilots. However, in our opinion, they were missing some legendary moments, more prestigious lines on the prize list and/or a real impact on the sport.

That's all for today ! Tell us what you think in the comments, and don't forget to give us your MotoGP Legends ! Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! 

 

Cover photo: ETA Manex