TOP 10 GREATEST MOTORCYCLE
RACES OF ALL TIME
Time for some more debate fueled by opinions - here we go, but please let us know your thoughts as this one is particularly tough:
10 -
MotoGP Assen 2015 - Valentino Rossi vs Marc Marquez
Valentino
has always performed well at Assen and was on top form living up to his
reputation as the Sunday man. Marquez was obviously the favourite going into
the race but was finding it hard to stay with Valentino, so when he lunged into
the side of Rossi in a last ditch attempt to win, it looked as though Rossi
would end up in the kitty litter - only Rossi’s skill kept him upright for an
amazing win.
9 - MotoGP
Catalunya 2007 - Casey Stoner vs Valentino Rossi
Two racers
at the top of their game in the 800cc era. Stoner broke away at the front and
looked to have the race in the bag, but Valentino wasn’t going to give up that
easily. When Valentino passed Casey I think most thought the race was over but
Casey fought hard, kept calm and went on to win an unbelievable race.
8 - Isle of
Man TT Senior 2015 - John McGuinness
I think
most people including myself had written off John’s chances of winning the
Senior in 2015. He was riding well but didn’t look like he was going to stop
Michael Dunlop from adding to his tally, that was until he pushed his bike up
to the line. He broke the outright lap record and rode like a true champion
with the crowd with him cheering every lap - incredible stuff.
7 - MotoGP
Catalunya 2009 - Valentino Rossi vs Jorge Lorenzo
The last
couple of laps of this race were bonkers with the lead changing every couple of
corners but I think most people thought that Lorenzo had won the race before
the last corner. Valentino’s move was as outrageous as it was daring and one of
the best undertakes of his career, it left everyone scratching their heads -
Pure genius
6 - BSB
Oulton Park 2000 - Neil Hodgson vs everyone
Occasionally
there are totally enthralling races when everything comes together and that’s
exactly what happened to Neil in 2000.
Neil had
to start at the back of the due to stalling on the grid but not only did he go
onto win the race, he managed to break away from the pack which gave him the
time to sit up and wave to the crowd on the last few corners.
5 - MotoGP
Laguna Seca 2008 - Valentino Rossi vs Casey Stoner
The
amazing corkscrew overtake that left Casey fuming was definitely risky (win it
or bin it from the master Valentino) but was also the highlight of the season.
4 - Isle
of Man TT Formula One 2000 - Joey Dunlop
At the age
of 48 and with a gap of 12 years since his last big bike win it didn’t seem as
though Joey could win, but Joey Dunlop aboard the factory Honda VTR SP-1 was a
match made in heaven. Joey stormed to an amazing win - True Hollywood stuff!
3 - BSB
2011 Brands Hatch - Tommy Hill vs John Hopkins
This is
one race I’ll never forget, I had packed my tent on the back of my 1978 Honda
CB400F and camped for the weekend at Brands. The weekend was amazing from start
to finish but I’ll always remember the feeling of seeing Tommy and John
crossing the line together just six thousandths of a second apart. No one
new who had won the title and I was left shaking through my whole body.
Everyone forgets that Shakey won the race, but that didn’t matter as it was all
about beating each other for the title. Tommy won and no one will ever forget
this race or forget it was John Hopkins he beat.
2 - 500cc
World Championship Silverstone 1979 - Barry Sheene vs Kenny Roberts
This race
will always be fondly remembered by Sheene fans as one of his greatest, even
though he didn’t win (he should have but for a back marker). The lead swapped
between the two literary every lap. Even though Sheene had been having a
nightmare weekend he pulled it out of the bag in the race and even managed to
get the fastest lap - a classic race from two of the greats.
1 - Isle
of Man Formula One TT 1978 - Mike Hailwood
I think it’s fair to say when Mike Hailwood announced his return to motorcycle racing after an 11 years there were a few raised eyebrows, and to make matters worse he was going to be competing at the most dangerous road race in the world! Most fans were apprehensive as to whether this was a good idea. Those who remembered his heyday were worried that he might make a fool of himself or worse but Mike Hailwood was no mere mortal and went on to win in style - a true legend.
