Loris Capirossi will officially be named a MotoGP Legend during a special ceremony at this weekend’s Misano round, honoring both his on-track achievements and his lasting contributions to the sport.
Capirossi’s storied career began with back-to-back 125cc world titles in 1990 and 1991 as a rookie, before moving up to the 250cc and 500cc classes. His third world title came in the 250cc class after a dramatic and controversial finale in 1998, edging out Aprilia teammate Tetsuya Harada.
He made a memorable return to the premier class, finishing third in the 2000 500cc world championship, and played a pivotal role in Ducati’s MotoGP history—delivering the brand’s first premier-class victory at Catalunya in 2003 and collecting a total of seven wins for the Italian marque. Capirossi remained competitive throughout the evolution of the sport, claiming podiums with Suzuki and ending his career at Pramac Ducati in 2011.
The Italian rode his final grand prix in Valencia, racing with #58 to honor the late Marco Simoncelli. In total, Capirossi made 328 grand prix starts and has since served over a decade as MotoGP’s Safety Advisor.
Capirossi joins a distinguished list of Italian MotoGP Legends, including Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso, and Max Biaggi. The MotoGP Legend status recognizes not only career success but a rider’s broader impact on the sport.
The induction underscores Capirossi’s enduring legacy as one of Italy’s greatest motorcycle racers and a key figure in MotoGP history.
