Australia is a great nation. By size, certainly, but also by stature. Initially influenced by the other major Commonwealth countries, the culture evolved over the years to adopt new standards. Thus, certain sports are endemic to the country-continent. This is not the case with the motorcycle.
Car racing, then motorcycling, has always punctuated the lives of young Australians. MotoGP, like Formula 1, does not escape its share of “aussies”, who have always been present. Let's look back together at the ten greatest Australian riders in motorcycle Grand Prix.
The link to the first part, which explains the rules as well as the selection criteria, is
found right here.
This episode follows the
fourth part, published yesterday.
No. 4: Jack Findlay
The legendary Jack Findlay, iconic figure of the Continental Circus, appears in 4th position in this ranking. We might as well say it from the outset: the first three are absolutely untouchable, having achieved too much not only for the Grands Prix, but also for Australia in motor sports.
Jack Findlay started racing at the age of 15, not far from Victoria, his birthplace. Stung, he decided to pack his bags in 1958 to go to England, to try to find a place among the elite. At only 23 years old, he recorded his first results riding a Norton Manx.
It was not until 1966 that the first results arrived. On Matchless, he managed to face the big names and took third place overall in 500cc. 1968 is remembered as his best career year, this time finishing second behind a
Intractable Agostini (100% victories).
He gradually left British firms for beautiful Japanese ones. In 1971, 13 years after his debut, he finally won his first victory on Suzuki, at the
Ulster Grand Prix. This success is quite simply the first for the Hamamatsu brand in 500cc.
His stature evolved in 1972 after the release of the legendary documentary film Continental Circus, of which he was one of the main representatives in spirit. Indeed, his “old school” approach only pushed him to become involved as a private individual for all these years. He retired at the end of 1978 at age 43, after twenty years of good and loyal service.
With Valentino Rossi et Angel Nieto, he has the longest career in the history of sport. An honorable 4th place, although his case deserves an entire episode.
No. 3: Wayne Gardner
The crocodile's NSR500. Photo: Rikita
Inevitable. If the rest of the top 10 is questionable, the first three places are much less so. To begin with, we are dealing with a world champion; This may seem trivial but it is the first one we encounter in this list.
Wayne Gardner, it's the Grands Prix of the 1980s in their splendor. It’s this anger, this motivation. It is also this victory during the
Australian Grand Prix 1989, he who had “brought” a round of the World Cup to his country, such was his popularity.
The 1987 title, the rivalry with Eddie lawson…there is so much to say about “ Crocodile Gardner ". The iconic Honda driver, with 18 victories in the premier category, is riveted to the podium in this top 10.
In front of him, it's just bigger. Gardner, on two or four wheels, fascinated a lot of Australians and greatly popularized motor sports in the country. Today, he has the status of a true living legend of our sport, witness to a bygone era.
Tomorrow it's time for the final verdict! Who will be in front of the other? Your predictions!
Cover photo: Stu Newby
