Top 10 Legendary Riders of MotoGP

When fans talk about the Legendary Riders of MotoGP, they do not simply discuss statistics, poles, or wins. They celebrate courage, resilience, adaptability, and moments that transcend pure numbers. Across the decades, MotoGP has witnessed riders who redefined excellence and inspired new generations. The 2024 season in particular highlighted names who stamped their authority, fought against all odds, and left impressions that fans will cherish forever.

Here Are The Top 10 Legendary Riders of MotoGP:

10. Marco Bezzecchi

Marco Bezzecchi represents the youthful spark of MotoGP. Despite facing setbacks in 2024, he reminded the world why his name belongs among the Legendary Riders of MotoGP. Coming off an impressive 2023 where he secured three wins and a third-place championship finish, expectations were high. Yet, riding a year-old Ducati proved challenging. Bezzecchi still fought hard, delivering VR46’s only podium at the Spanish Grand Prix and earning three front-row starts. His resilience in the face of crashes and inconsistent finishes reflects his potential to climb higher.

Bezzecchi edges rivals like Aleix Espargaro and Alex Marquez, proving that his journey has only begun. For a rider still early in his career, he has already shown flashes of brilliance and an ability to challenge seasoned competitors. Among the Legendary Riders of MotoGP, he is the emerging star that keeps fans hopeful for more.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Marco Bezzecchi	Italy	3	Multiple	3rd (2023 Championship)	VR46 Ducati

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9. Fabio Di Giannantonio

Fabio Di Giannantonio’s story in 2024 highlights consistency and resilience. While often compared to team-mate Bezzecchi, he consistently outperformed him in terms of points. A pre-summer highlight came with his fourth-place finish at Assen, which helped him secure a factory GP25 ride for 2025. His late-season form was remarkable, finishing fourth in both Australia and Thailand, ensuring his lead over Bezzecchi in their intra-team rivalry.

Even after battling injuries and missing races, Di Giannantonio proved why he deserves recognition among the Legendary Riders of MotoGP. He has already shown the ability to bounce back from adversity, and his late-season surge demonstrated maturity and growth. His steady progress hints at a bright future, especially as he moves to factory machinery.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Fabio Di Giannantonio	Italy	1	Multiple	4th (2024 Highlights)	VR46 Ducati

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8. Maverick Vinales

Maverick Vinales is one of the most enigmatic yet brilliant Legendary Riders of MotoGP. In 2024, he delivered thrilling performances, such as his dominant victory at the Americas GP. His Texas weekend was one of the most complete displays by any rider, including pole, fastest laps, sprint win, and grand prix triumph. Notably, he was the only non-Ducati rider to secure a race win.

Vinales also proved his qualifying strength with seven front-row starts and two sprint wins. While inconsistency plagued him, particularly with crashes and missed opportunities, his raw pace was undeniable. He consistently outshone Aleix Espargaro, Aprilia’s veteran, and reminded fans that his talent remains world-class. For fans of the Legendary Riders of MotoGP, Vinales embodies the unpredictability and excitement that define the sport.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Maverick Vinales	Spain	Multiple	Multiple	1st (Americas GP 2024)	Aprilia

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7. Brad Binder

Brad Binder has long been regarded as one of KTM’s strongest assets, and his 2024 campaign further reinforced his reputation. While KTM lagged behind Ducati, Binder made the most of his opportunities. He conclusively beat team-mate Jack Miller, scoring more than double the Australian’s points. His runner-up finish in the Qatar opener set expectations high, though he struggled to maintain podium form later.

Despite challenges, Binder’s ability to extract performance from a difficult bike made him stand out. He qualified in Q2 14 times and often gained positions in races. Unlike rookie Pedro Acosta, he limited his big crashes to sprints, demonstrating composure. This reliability ensures his place among the Legendary Riders of MotoGP, as he continues to be KTM’s anchor and a rider capable of upsetting the Ducati dominance.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Brad Binder	South Africa	Multiple	Multiple	2nd (Qatar 2024)	KTM Factory

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6. Enea Bastianini

Enea Bastianini entered 2024 with great expectations, finally fit after his injury-hit 2023. However, his performances fell short of the fireworks fans had seen in 2022, when he won four races with Gresini. Riding for the factory Ducati, he often struggled in Francesco Bagnaia’s shadow. Still, his win at Misano, earned through a bold move on Jorge Martin, was a reminder of his class.

Bastianini’s strength was consistency, with only three DNFs across the season. He was strong in races at Britain, Emilia Romagna, and Thailand, though not consistent enough in qualifying. His ability to recover during races demonstrated skill and perseverance. His place among the Legendary Riders of MotoGP is earned through grit, speed, and his ability to fight in one of the sport’s most competitive teams.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Enea Bastianini	Italy	5+	Multiple	1st (Misano 2024)	Ducati Factory

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5. Pedro Acosta

At just 19 years old, Pedro Acosta is already being hailed as one of the future Legendary Riders of MotoGP. His rookie season was electrifying, highlighted by fearless duels against veterans like Marc Marquez in Qatar. Though crashes were frequent – he topped the crash list with 28 – his raw speed and courage stood out.

Acosta collected multiple podiums, including strong early-season performances in Spain. His pole at Motegi, despite ending in crashes, underlined his potential. By the end of the season, he was nearly KTM’s top performer, narrowly behind Brad Binder. His factory KTM contract for 2025 is proof of his trajectory toward greatness. Among the Legendary Riders of MotoGP, Acosta represents the exciting next chapter of the sport’s future.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Pedro Acosta	Spain	0 (Rookie)	5+	2nd/3rd finishes	KTM Tech3

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4. Fabio Quartararo

Fabio Quartararo, MotoGP world champion in 2021, continues to showcase resilience despite Yamaha’s struggles. In 2024, he finished 13th overall but was the clear leader in the “non-competitive Japanese manufacturer” class. Scoring over double the points of Johann Zarco and quadruple that of Alex Rins, Quartararo carried Yamaha on his shoulders.

Regular top-10 finishes and a standout sixth in Malaysia proved his determination. Despite mechanical frustrations, including fuel issues, he never gave up. His comeback after a first-lap crash in Malaysia to finish sixth on his spare bike epitomized his grit. For fans, Quartararo is proof that the Legendary Riders of MotoGP are not only measured by wins but also by relentless effort and unyielding spirit.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Fabio Quartararo	France	10+	Multiple	1st (World Champion 2021)	Yamaha

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3. Francesco Bagnaia

Francesco Bagnaia’s 2024 season was remarkable. Winning 11 grands prix, he joined the elite group of riders with double-digit victories in a season, alongside icons like Rossi, Doohan, Agostini, and Marquez. Yet, despite this feat, he finished behind Jorge Martin in the title race due to a lack of consistency in sprints and non-winning finishes.

Bagnaia’s biggest weakness was his inability to secure enough second and third places when not winning. Still, when conditions suited him, he was untouchable, dominating races with skill and precision. His performance cements his place among the Legendary Riders of MotoGP, as a two-time champion and a rider whose name will forever be part of Ducati’s golden era.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Francesco Bagnaia	Italy	20+	Multiple	MotoGP World Champion	Ducati Factory

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2. Marc Marquez

Few names resonate louder than Marc Marquez among the Legendary Riders of MotoGP. After years of battling Honda’s declining competitiveness, his move to Ducati reignited his career. On a year-old GP23 with Gresini, he secured three grands prix wins and nearly all the podiums available to GP23 riders. His performances reminded fans of the fearless champion who once dominated the sport.

Marquez’s 24 crashes reflected his relentless pursuit of the limit, yet his podium tally and beating of Enea Bastianini in the standings showed his brilliance. Injury-free and full of confidence, Marquez now looks toward his next chapter with the factory Ducati team. Among the Legendary Riders of MotoGP, Marquez’s legacy is already immortal, but his comeback makes it even sweeter.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Marc Marquez	Spain	59+	Multiple	8-Time World Champion	Gresini Ducati

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1. Jorge Martin

Jorge Martin was the rider of 2024. His speed aboard the GP24 Ducati was unmatched, and his consistency ensured he led the standings nearly all season. With multiple grand prix wins and sprints, Martin combined raw speed with mental toughness. Overcoming early mistakes in Jerez and Sachsenring, he showed maturity by bouncing back and avoiding errors in crucial stages.

His decision-making improved drastically, including a calm ride in Barcelona that sealed the championship. Even after battling mental health issues early in the year, Martin demonstrated resilience that defines the Legendary Riders of MotoGP. His triumph in 2024 firmly established him as one of the sport’s finest and a new benchmark for future stars.

Rider	Country	Wins	Podiums	Best Finish	Team
Jorge Martin	Spain	Multiple	Multiple	MotoGP World Champion 2024	Ducati (Pramac)

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