Top 8 MotoGP Riders of all Time
Anyone watching MotoGP over the last decade will have been left in awe by the likes of Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo. Many consider they have set the benchmark for any riders wanting to make their mark in the sport. While these three riders are the most obvious contenders for our top 10, there are actually a number of others, riding before and at the same time who also deserve a mention.
Giacomo Agostini
Considered by many to be the greatest rider of all time, Giacomo Agostini won 8 world championships between 1966 and 1975. He also won 7 world titles in 350cc class. So we've got to agree he is the most successful rider to date. He also created a world record of 122 grand prix wins that's been hard to beat.
Valentino Rossi
Valentino has managed to get pretty close to the excellence of Agostini and has equaled his record of 8 premier class titles. His racing career started with a title win in Moto3 as well as one in Moto2. After that he moved up to the premier class and just kept reeling in the titles. As well as being a successful rider he has also managed to bring thrills and excitement and lets not forget some glamour.
Michael Doohan
Heralding from Australia, Michael Doohan managed to win 5 back to back MotoGP titles during the years 1994 to 1998. He rode for Honda and at the time this was an important era for the manufacturers teams. The legacy he left has not been matched by many others and few have eclipsed it. He was well-known for being able to set up his bike and for his insight into the 500cc class.
Mike Hailwood
Known as the greatest British rider of his time he was also known as "Mike the Bike". He dominated the sport during the years 1958 to 1967. A total of 9 championship wins in different classes. 4 in 500cc, 2 in 350cc and 3 in Moto3. Not content with motorcycling success he also tried his hand at Formula 1 racing. He met an untimely death at the age of 40 in a car accident.
John Surtees
Also a famous British rider who was around at the same time as Mike Hailwood. He won 500cc motorcycle World Championship four times and 3 times in the 350cc class. He also tried his hand at Formula 1 and was a little more successful with a win in 1964. This also got him a place in the record books for becoming the only person to win on both two and four wheels.
Jorge Lorenzo
Jorge is a Spanish rider that has enjoyed recent success. He has won the championship 3 times. He first made headlines when he was just 19 and won back to back titles in 250cc World Championship.
Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez is most definitely one of the young guns to watch. He only turned professional in 2010 and started his run of success with a Moto3 title in the same year. The following year he won the Moto2 title and then two back to back premier class titles in the first two years competing in the class.
Kenny Roberts
Kenny was the youngest, before Marquez, to have won a premier class championship. He also won 3 titles in 1978, 79 and 1980. as well as the titles he won, he will also be remembered for his rising style. He was the first rider to adopt the cornering method that involved hanging off the bike with knee extended.
