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MotoGP
MotoGP’s most successful Spanish riders
Márquez, Pedrosa, Lorenzo... Spain’s success in the premier class began a quarter of a century ago!
Márquez gets the bumps
© Repsol Honda
It might be hard to believe that it was only a little less than 25 years ago that a Spaniard had never won at the World Championship's top level, especially given the dominance of the country's riders in MotoGP in recent years.
Yet on Saturday, June 27, 1992 – eight months before Marc Márquez was born – Àlex Crivillé's victory at the Dutch circuit marked a significant day in the history of Spanish riders in the sport.
So what better way to mark the anniversary and celebrate the talent that Spain has given to MotoGP than by profiling the most successful winning riders!
Àlex Crivillé: Spain's first premier class success
© DPPI
1. Àlex Crivillé: Spain's first ever GP winner and World Champion
By the early 1990s Spain had produced a plethora of World Champions, all in the smaller classes. Ángel Nieto, Ricardo Tormo, Sito Pons, Jorge Martínez 'Aspar', Manuel Herreros and Crivillé himself had all given their nation a taste of success across the 50cc, 80cc, 125cc and 250cc categories but never in the premier class.
Crivillé's victory at Assen in '92 came in his first season in the 500c class and was Spain's first success at the very highest level, but he had to wait a few more years before he became a consistent winner.
It was an incredible fight, right to the end. I still remember the last lap. I almost couldn't believe it when I'd won. The first victory for a Spanish rider in the premier class. It was just the best feeling ever.
Then, in 1999, after already finishing runner-up to the dominant Mick Doohan a couple of seasons earlier, he put a strong campaign together and took the title to become his nation's first-ever 500cc World Champion.
Premier class races: 139
Premier class victories: 15
Premier class podiums: 51
World Championships: 500cc (1999), 125cc (1989)
Years active: 1987-2001
Marc Márquez: Chopping down MotoGP records
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull Content Pool
2. Marc Márquez: Youngest ever GP winner and MotoGP World Champion
By the time Márquez debuted in MotoGP, everybody knew that there was a serious new talent in town. Already with 125cc and Moto2 titles under his belt, victory from pole position in only his second MotoGP race set the tone for what was to be a record-breaking season in many ways.
The youngest ever premier class race winner in the sport's history became its youngest World Champion at just 20 years old, and he already has three premier-class titles under his belt at just 24 years of age.
Premier class races: 72
Premier class victories: 29
Premier class podiums: 51
World Championships: MotoGP (2013, 2014, 2016), Moto2 (2012), 125cc (2010)
Years active: 2008-Present
*stats up to date before the start of the 2017 MotoGP season
Jorge Lorenzo: Three-time MotoGP World Champion
© Yamaha Racing
3. Jorge Lorenzo: First Spaniard to win more than one MotoGP title
There was plenty of hype surrounding Jorge Lorenzo when he stepped up to MotoGP in 2008, and it was justified.
The youngster had taken back-to-back 250cc titles and was brought in alongside then five-times premier class World Champion Valentino Rossi in the factory Yamaha MotoGP team as they looked towards the future.
He made an immediate impact, had a roller coaster of a debut season, and won the MotoGP title in 2010 to deliver Spain its second premier class World Champion. A repeat in 2012 made him the country's first multiple MotoGP title winner, and he's since added a third title (in 2015).
Premier class races: 156
Premier class victories: 44
Premier class podiums: 107
World Championships: MotoGP (2010, 2012, 2015), 250cc (2006, 2007)
Years active: 2002-Present
*stats up to date before the start of the 2017 MotoGP season
Dani Pedrosa: Racking up the MotoGP podiums
© GEPA/Gold & Goose
4. Dani Pedrosa: Mr Consistency
One of Spain's brightest prospects stepped into MotoGP in 2006, straight into the Repsol Honda factory team, after winning the 125cc title and taking consecutive 250cc crowns.
Pedrosa stood out from the off, finishing second in his debut MotoGP race, and he won only his fourth GP from pole in an impressive rookie season.
Now into his 12th premier class campaign Pedrosa is still yet to claim a MotoGP title (he's finished runner-up three times), but is one of Spain's most decorated riders in terms of podiums in the top flight.
Premier class races: 181
Premier class victories: 29
Premier class podiums: 103
World Championships: 250cc (2004, 2005), 125cc (2003)
Years active: 2001-Present
*stats up to date before the start of the 2017 MotoGP season
Sete Gibernau: Not best mates with Valentino Rossi
© DPPI
5. Sete Gibernau: The man who almost stuck it to Rossi
Gibernau finished runner-up to Valentino Rossi in the premier class in 2003 and 2004. There was little love lost between the pair as they fought bitterly on track, with Gibernau pushing the Italian to the limit.
Ultimately Gibernau's efforts to wrestle the World Championship from Rossi's grip came up short, but he won nine races during his time in the competition and remains fifth on the list of all-time Spanish MotoGP race winners.
Premier class races: 160
Premier class victories: 9
Premier class podiums: 30
Years active: 1996-2009
