For more than two decades, the premier class has not been as dominant as the Europeans. Instead, it was the Americans’ playground.
While MotoGP is currently missing an American superstar on the grid, there were plenty of Stars and Stripes-adorned riders flying the flag for the United States.
In the year Nicky Hayden’s final season as a full-time rider in 2015 marked the last time the American flag appeared on the grid, but the launch of Trackhouse Racing as a satellite outfit has brought the nation into the paddock in some capacity.
Despite the recent lack of representation, there have been several world champions to emerge from the ‘Land of the Free’. over here, MotoGP news It ranks high five.
5. Kevin Schwantz – 25 wins
Kevin Schwantz is the first name on this list and he was considered a mainstay when he was in the premiere episode.
His long feud with Wayne Rainey, another name on this list, is considered. One of the greatest rivalries in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
Riding for Suzuki, Schwantz often had to overrule the slower bike from Yamahas and Hondas, leading to his famous ‘look at God, then brake’ mantra.
Finally, in In 1993, he took over the World Championship. With 25 Grand Prix wins and a physics riding style, his #34 was finally retired from the sport with honor.
4. Freddie Spencer – 20 wins
‘Fast Freddie’ Spencer was a natural motorcycle racer who achieved things that seemed statistically impossible at the time.
In the year In 1983, at the tender age of 21, the Louisiana-born rider became the youngest 500cc champion after a season-long battle with Kenny Roberts.
However, it was his season in 1985 that put him in the same conversation with the best Premier Division rivals in history.
He competed in both the 250cc and 500cc classes at the same time and won both world titles in the same year.
The physical damage of the same day’s two-part race contributed significantly to his battle with carpal tunnel syndrome, which cut short his prime in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, but his raw talent remains legendary.
3. Wayne Rennie – 24 wins
Wayne Rennie’s career is characterized by incredible consistency and intense rivalry with his compatriot Kevin Schwantz.
Riding for the factory Yamaha team, Rennie secured three consecutive world championships from 1990 to 1992, before the California native was paralyzed from the chest down in a crash at Misano in 1993.
Although his career was short, Rainey’s 24 wins and 64 podiums in just a few seasons in the premier class remain among the greatest in the sport’s history.
Despite a serious setback, he continued to participate in motorsport. After a stint as a team manager for Yamaha, Rainey also competed in various karting disciplines using hand-controlled superkarts.
2. Kenny Roberts – 22 wins
Kenny Roberts Following the 500cc championship in 1978, it paved the way for the Grand Prix motorcycle racers on this list.
He retired as a three-time world champion, but Roberts’ legacy spans his roles as a team owner and engine and chassis technical developer.
The dirt track-inspired riding style revolutionized the premier class, setting a new standard for bike handling that can be seen in the modern landscape of MotoGP today.
In addition, His 1979 test for FIM officials was a game-changer for the sport. In favor of a competitive championship, Roberts ensured greater influence for competing competitors, ultimately leading to significant improvements in both driver safety and the series’ commercial professionalism.
1. Eddie Lawson – 31 wins
The undisputed king of the American MotoGP scene is none other than ‘Steady Eddie’. Eddie Lawson earned his nickname for his incredible ability to drive at the absolute limit without making a mistake.
After dominating the AMA Superbike scene, he moved to the Grand Prix circuit as Kenny Roberts’ teammate at Yamaha.
Lawson won a total of four premier class titles during his 10-year career in the sport, before swapping two wheels for four in what is now IndyCar.
The Californian’s most legendary came in 1989. After winning a year with Yamaha, Lawson switched to Honda and immediately added another title to his collection.
Honorable Name: Nicky Hayden
The ‘Kentucky Kid’ remains a beloved icon as the last American to win the MotoGP World Championship.
After becoming the youngest AMA Superbike Champion in 2011, He joined the legendary Repsol Honda outfit in 2003 and set his sights on dethroning the great Valentino Rossi.
Despite being overtaken by his own team-mate in the final lap, Hayden showed great mental fortitude to clinch the title in a thrilling finale in Valencia, becoming one of the few riders to win the title outright.
Known for his dirt track inspired style and relentless work ethic, Hayden moved up to World Superbike in 2017 before his tragic passing in 2016. His #69 is retired for his lasting legacy.
