Marco Bezzecchi
Boasting a record 72 constructors’ world titles to their name in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Honda have had some of the most successful riders in the history of the sport to ride atop their prototypes.
The Japanese constructor also boasts the most amount of riders’ championships for a single manufacturer as well, cementing themselves as the greatest constructor in the history of the sport.
They have fallen out of contention for race wins and thus, championships, in recent years, but Honda’s current trajectory shows that they could return to the top of the pecking order in the premier class very soon.
It begs the question of who will be the next rider to be crowned as a MotoGP world champion atop a Honda bike, but in the meantime, here are the top five names to have ridden for them in the past.
Marc Marquez on Honda in 2023
5. Wayne Gardner – One world title; 18 wins in 102 starts
Wayne Gardner was a determined Australian who elevated Honda to consistent championship contention in the mid-1980s.
His crowning achievement came in 1987, when he became Australia’s world champion in the premier class after pipping Randy Mamola to the title by 20 points.
The championship feat earned him legendary status down under, and he paved the way for the multitude of Australian talent that succeeded him in the sport.
Gardner scored 18 wins from 102 starts with Honda and played a key role in developing their machinery that would go on to dominate the 500cc championship.
4. Freddie Spencer – Two world titles; 20 wins in 48 starts
‘Fast Freddie’ Spencer remains one of Honda’s most storied champions.
The American rider won Honda’s first modern premier class world title in 1983 and went on to deliver one of the sport’s most historic feats by winning both the 250cc and 500cc championships in 1985.
It was an unprecedented achievement at the time, and is unlikely to ever be replicated again, due to the current ladder that exists within Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
With 20 wins in 48 premier class starts for Honda, Spencer is a true legend within the ranks of the Japanese constructor.
3. Valentino Rossi – Three world titles; 33 wins in 64 starts
Before becoming a global icon at Yamaha, Valentino Rossi built his reputation on a foundation of brilliance with Honda.
The Doctor began his premier class career on top, taking his first world championship in the final year of the 500cc category.
He would continue into the MotoGP era with a chokehold firmly on the neck of the competition as he won the first two championships of the category in 2002 and 2003.
Rossi’s 33 wins in just 64 starts with Honda were the start of his race-day ruthlessness in MotoGP, and his eventual departure highlighted how central he had been to the team’s early-2000s success
2. Mick Doohan – Five world titles; 54 wins in 137 starts
Mick Doohan’s partnership with Honda defined the latter stages of the 500cc era, creating one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the sport.
After overcoming a near-career-ending injury early in his career, Doohan returned stronger than ever to claim five consecutive world championships from 1994 to 1998.
His mastery of the notoriously brutal Honda NSR500 cemented him as one of the greatest riders the category has ever seen, and his 54 wins with Honda place him among the most successful riders in premier class history.
Doohan’s achievements would stand second to none at the factory Honda team, until a certain Spaniard arrived in 2013.
1. Marc Marquez – Six world titles; 59 wins in 169 starts
Marc Marquez’s tenure with Honda stands as one of the most dominant eras in premier class history.
The Ant of Cervera burst onto the scene in 2013, immediately winning the championship as a rookie and securing six world titles in his first seven seasons.
His highly aggressive riding style matched the prowess of the Honda RC213V, and together they made for a formidable partnership, producing 59 premier class victories in total.
Marquez became the benchmark for MotoGP riders during his time at the Japanese constructor, exposing everyone around him as inferior to the talents he brought on two wheels.
Injuries would later complicate Marquez’s trajectory in the premier class, but his legacy at Honda remains one of raw speed and historic success.
Honourable Mention: Dani Pedrosa – 31 wins in 217 starts
Though he never actually secured a MotoGP world title for himself, Dani Pedrosa’s contributions to Honda were immense.
Over 13 seasons with the factory team, Pedrosa amassed 31 wins and established himself as one of the smoothest riders the sport has ever seen.
The Spaniard was instrumental in developing Honda machinery, helping develop the highly successful RC213V alongside Marquez.
Universally respected and celebrated, Pedrosa’s legacy at Honda was recognised upon his induction to the MotoGP Hall of Fame, cementing his status as one of the greatest riders to never win a premier class title.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
