Loris Capirossi takes his rightful place as a MotoGP Legend

Here's the thing about Loris Capirossi: his career isn't just a list of statistics, it is a proper piece of motorcycle racing history. The popular Italian officially took his place in the hall of fame on Saturday at Misano, receiving his Legend medal from MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta with his family, friends, and colleagues watching on.

Let us talk about the numbers, because they are staggering. Across all classes, Capirossi made 328 starts, taking 29 grand prix wins split across 8 in 125cc, 12 in 250cc, and 9 in MotoGP. He collected 99 podiums and 41 pole positions alongside three world titles. He secured the 1990 125cc world title aged 17 years and 165 days old, making him the youngest Grand Prix World Champion in history. To put that into perspective, Pedro Acosta was crowned in 2021 aged 17 years and 166 days old, just one day older. For more than three decades, Capirossi also stood alone as the last rider to take the title in his rookie season in 125cc/Moto3 until Acosta matched that feat.

His machinery credentials are just as wild. Capirossi delivered Ducati their very first MotoGP win at the 2003 Catalan Grand Prix during the Italian manufacturer's debut season in the premier class. That was also Ducati's first grand prix win in any class since Mike Hailwood took victory in 125cc at the 1959 Ulster Grand Prix. He stands as one of only five riders to win with three different manufacturers in MotoGP, alongside Yamaha, Honda, and Ducati—sharing that elite club with Mike Hailwood, Randy Mamola, Eddie Lawson, and Maverick Viñales. He even managed podium finishes with four manufacturers: Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, and Suzuki.

Longevity is the true mark of a beast in this sport. The span of 17 years and 49 days between his maiden win in 125cc at the 1990 British Grand Prix and his final victory in MotoGP at the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix gives him the second longest winning career in the history books, surpassed only by Valentino Rossi at 20 years and 311 days.

Capirossi finally hung up his helmet at the end of the 2011 season in Valencia, stepping away as the record holder for grand prix starts at the time with 328 across 22 seasons stretching from 1990 to 2011. His iconic #65 was subsequently retired in MotoGP in 2016. Today, he remains an absolute pillar of the paddock as a MotoGP Race Direction representative, continuing to shape the sport he loves.