Marco Bezzecchi
For over two decades, the premier class wasn’t dominated by the Europeans like it is now; it was instead the playground of the Americans.
While MotoGP is currently missing an American superstar on the grid, there have been plenty of stars and stripes-adorned riders who have flown the flag for the United States.
Nicky Hayden’s final season as a full-time rider in 2015 marked the last time the American flag was seen on the grid, but the introduction of Trackhouse Racing as a satellite outfit brought the country back into the paddock in some capacity.
Despite the lack of recent representation, there have been a multitude of world champions to hail from the ‘land of the free’. Here, MotoGP News ranks the top five:
5. Kevin Schwantz – 25 wins
Kevin Schwantz is the first name on this list and was widely regarded as the ultimate showman during his tenure in the premier class.
His career-long battle with Wayne Rainey, another name on this list, is considered one of the greatest rivalries in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history.
Riding for Suzuki, Schwantz often had to override a bike that was slower than the Yamahas and Hondas, leading to his famous ‘See God, then brake’ mantra.
He finally captured the World Championship in 1993. With 25 Grand Prix wins and a riding style that defied physics, his #34 was eventually retired from the sport in his honour.
4. Freddie Spencer – 20 wins
‘Fast Freddie’ Spencer was a natural motorcycle racer who achieved things that seemed statistically impossible at the time.
In 1983, at just 21 years old, the Louisiana-born rider became the youngest-ever 500cc champion after a season-long battle with Kenny Roberts.
However, his 1985 season is what put him in the same conversation as some of the best premier class competitors in history.
He competed in both the 250cc and 500cc classes simultaneously, winning both world titles in the same year.
The physical toll of racing two classes on the same day contributed to a battle with carpal tunnel syndrome that shortened his peak in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, but his raw talent remains legendary.
3. Wayne Rainey – 24 wins
Wayne Rainey’s career was defined by his incredible consistency and his highly competitive rivalry with compatriot Kevin Schwantz.
Riding for the factory Yamaha team, Rainey secured three consecutive World Championships from 1990 to 1992, and the California native was on the verge of a fourth title in 1993 when a crash at Misano left him paralysed from the chest down.
Despite his career being cut short, Rainey’s 24 wins and 64 podiums in just a handful of seasons in the premier class remain one of the most dominant stretches in the history of the sport.
He also continued to be involved in motorsport despite his harsh setback. After a stint as a team manager for Yamaha, Rainey also competed in several karting disciplines through the use of hand-controlled Superkarts.
2. Kenny Roberts – 22 wins
Kenny Roberts paved the way for every other Grand Prix motorcycle racer on this list following the 1978 500cc championship feat that saw him become the very first American rider to win a world title in the sport.
He retired as a three-time world champion, but Roberts’ legacy spans his roles as a team owner and technical constructor of engines and chassis.
His dirt-track-inspired riding style revolutionised the premier class, setting a new standard for bike control that is still seen in the modern landscape of MotoGP today.
Additionally, his 1979 challenge to the FIM’s authority was a turning point for the sport. By advocating for a rival championship, Roberts secured greater influence for racers, ultimately leading to significant improvements in both rider safety and the commercial professionalism of the series.
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 uncanny ability to ride at the absolute limit without making mistakes.
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 throughout his 10-year career in the sport, before swapping two wheels for four in the racing series now known as IndyCar.
The California native’s most legendary move came in 1989. After winning the title with Yamaha in the year prior, Lawson switched to Honda and immediately added another title to his collection.
Honourable mention: 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, he joined the iconic Repsol Honda outfit in 2003 and set his sights on dethroning the great Valentino Rossi.
Despite being taken out by his own teammate in the penultimate round, Hayden displayed immense mental fortitude to clinch the title in a dramatic Valencia finale, becoming one of the few riders to get the better of the legendary Italian in a straight title fight.
Known for his dirt-track-inspired style and relentless work ethic, Hayden transitioned to World Superbike in 2016 before his tragic passing in 2017. His #69 was retired as a tribute to his enduring legacy.
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