Retrospective: They ran with No. 1!

It's no longer a secret: Pecco Bagnaia will use the No. 1 for the year 2023, and becomes the first MotoGP rider to use it since Casey Stoner in 2012. However, others before him sported it. A retrospective is necessary! We will only talk about the modern era (since 2002), because before Valentino Rossi, tradition was much more respected. However, we are going to look at all the categories, because many champions have put their titles on the line and you may have forgotten about them. Are you ready ? Let's go !

I) Manuel Poggiali

The Italian is the first to wear the No. 1 in the new era of Grands Prix. Indeed, he was titled in the 125cc category during the 2001 season, after a tough battle against Youichi Ui. In 2002, he proudly wore the number of the champions during the following season. He lost his title to Arnaud Vincent, who is, incidentally, our next candidate. Namely: After his second career coronation, which took place during the 2003 season in 250cc, the San Marino kept his number 54 for the 2004 season, but he was beaten again.

II) Arnaud Vincent

Our French champion, after having defeated Put them on, stamped his official KTM with a black, bold and clearly visible number 1 in 2003. However, the defense of the title turned into a nightmare since the Mattighofen firm separated from him in the middle of the season. Drafted by Aprilia Sterilgarda, we saw the #1 on two different machines in the same category in a single year, a rare occurrence if ever there was one.

To date, Tito Rabat is the last to have had it on the fairing. Photo: alberto-g-rovi

III) Dani Pedrosa

Dani, for his part, achieved two feats: Firstly, winning three titles in a row. 125cc in 2003, then 250cc in 2004 and 2005. As you might have guessed, the second feat stems from the first, because he managed to defend a title with the No. 1 on the fairing, which is not that common. On Honda, Casey Stoner could do nothing against the Spanish genius, who was seen, at that time, as one of the greatest talents to come.

IV) Thomas Lüthi

You may not remember, but yes, Lüthi wore number 1 well during the 2006 season. At the time, it was more common not to move up to the intermediate category straight away. 125cc champion during the 2005 season against a Mika Kallio on fire, Lüthi did it again in 2006, but completely failed in his mission. He only finished 8th in the standings, with only one victory and 225 points behind champion Álvaro Bautista.

V) Jorge Lorenzo

Like Pedrosa, Lorenzo was among the elite at that time, and managed to win with the No. 1. He beat Andrea Dovizioso in 2006 and then in 2007. Bad memories for the Italian. Very subjectively, we think the black #1, stylized with the wings and badge “Por Fuera” is the most beautiful worn by a champion in the 21st century.

And it's not over ! Lorenzo wore it again in 2011, also with a worked version representing the initials “JL”. However, this did not bring him luck, and he decided to part with it permanently despite his two other world titles.

The young Jorge Lorenzo wanted it, with this controlled arrogance. Photo: thomasdotorg

VI) Nicky Hayden

Americans never miss an opportunity to wear No. 1, a significant badge in a country where competition is instilled from a young age. Thus, for his defense in 2007, Nicky proudly wore the number 1 on his Honda Repsol, but without much success. He failed in 8th place, unable to compete with champion Stoner or even his teammate Pedrosa.

VII) Gábor Talmácsi

The Hungarian, too often omitted, shone in 125cc during the 2007 season and logically posted number 1 the following year. Unfortunately, he was unable to retain his title and had to hand it over to Mike di Meglio; unlike others mentioned previously, he was in the mix, in 3rd place in the championship and with a sumptuous victory at Assen. Moreover, we returned to his profile during the retrospective on the forgotten champions, which you can find by clicking on this highlighted link.

VIII) Casey Stoner

No need to introduce the Australian extra-terrestrial. Stoner has worn the number twice, each time he had to defend a MotoGP crown in 2008 and 2012. However, he never managed to be champion with it, failing against Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Will Bagnaia be able to ward off bad luck in 2023?

IX) Tito Rabat

This is the last driver to process. Since the beginning of the 2010s, the appearance of the Grands Prix has evolved. From now on, any rider crowned in Moto3 goes directly to Moto2, and this removes the defenses in the promotion categories. To date, Tito Rabat is the last rider to have worn the number 1, during the 2015 Moto2 season. Widely champion in 2014, he was unable to retain his crown, beaten by Johann zarco et Alex Rins. A nasty injury caused at the end of the campaign destroyed his chances.

Did you have them all in mind? Tell us in the comments! Furthermore, let us cite, pell-mell, the champions who also defended their title without wearing number 1. To know Valentino Rossi, of course, but also Put them on in 2004. We find Marco Simoncelli in 2009, just like Lorenzo in 2013 and 2016, without forgetting Marc Márquez. Johann zarco, of course, was titled twice in a row with his faithful number 5. More recently, Joan Mir et fabio quartararo refused to follow tradition.