This year, there is a “round number” anniversary for MotoGP. The world championship of motorcycle racing was officially created in 1949, so it celebrates 75 years of existence: the first race was on June 13, 1949, while on June 17, the 75th anniversary of the first ever race in the premier class will be celebrated.
Since then, much has changed: the categories, the tracks, the riders, the way of riding, the technology of the bikes, the safety. What has always remained is the adrenaline, passion, speed, and demand for progress and innovation.
During these seven and a half decades, several legends have inscribed their names in the history books, such as the record holder Giacomo Agostini, John Surtees who was the only one to become world champion in motorcycle racing and Formula 1, Valentino Rossi who redefined MotoGP and exploded its fan base, or Marc Márquez who more recently set new riding references.
Over 75 years, there have been 126 world champions among the various categories, in addition to 399 winning riders. 1,015 Grand Prix races and 3,371 races have already been contested in 30 different countries. Among the dozens of manufacturers who have participated, Honda remains the most successful with 821 victories across the various categories.
In the season that starts in March, new records and milestones can be achieved: right from the first round, there may very well be the 400th different winner, Márquez can be just one title away from reaching the levels of Rossi, Mike Hailwood, and Carlo Ubbiali if he becomes champion for the eighth time, and the mark of 3,400 races will be surpassed.
