MotoGP introduces Hall of Fame

While MotoGP already has ‘Legends’ recognition for past champions and other significant figures, both on track and off, from the sport’s history, there’s now a ‘Hall of Fame’ to bring further recognition to those with the most wins, greatest successes, or who are regarded as synonymous with their era.

The Hall of Fame was launched at Rimini, San Marino, in September, where a new-look ‘Tower of Champions’ perpetual trophy was unveiled, and three new MotoGP Legends inductees were announced.

Initial inductees into the MotoGP Hall of Fame started with those who have passed on, including Umberto Massetti, who raced in the first year of the 500cc World Championship in 1949 and was World Champion with Gilera in 1950 and 1952. John Surtees, Geoff Duke, Mike Hailwood, Phil Read and Barry Sheene were also in this group: all world champions in the premier class, with some being champions in the lower capacity classes, too.

Living inductees to the Hall of Fame included Giacomo Agostini, Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi. Agostini, Spencer, Schwantz, Stoner, Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Rossi were all present at Rimini for the induction ceremony, while the other living inductees sent video messages.

The new Tower of Champions trophy is an evolution of the previous design. The ‘spiral’ form remains, as does the provision for new champions to be added year-on-year. The main change is that the stainless-steel plaque for each 500cc/MotoGP champion since 1949 is now divided into two parts - a matte section with the rider’s name, and a gloss section with the championship year, bike manufacturer and rider’s number.

The final part of the Hall of Fame ceremony at Rimini saw three new MotoGP Legends announced - 1949 500cc World Champion Leslie Graham, 1957 500cc World Champion Libero Liberati and 1961 500cc World Champion Gary Hocking. All will be inducted in 2026, but when and where is TBC. Based on past Legends inductee ceremonies, each will be held at the MotoGP round most relevant to the rider.