Loris Capirossi has taken his place in MotoGP history. At the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on Saturday, the 53-year-old Italian was officially inducted as a MotoGP Legend. The medal was presented by MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, with family, friends, and former rivals watching from the paddock.
For Loris Capirossi, this is recognition of a remarkable Grand Prix career spanning 22 seasons. He debuted in 1990 and retired in 2011, amassing 328 starts, 29 wins, 99 podiums, 41 pole positions, and three world titles. Those numbers place him among the most complete riders of the modern era.
Youngest World Champion in History
Capirossi's name exploded onto the scene at a young age. In 1990, at 17 years and 165 days, he won the 125cc world title and became the youngest ever Grand Prix world champion. That record still stands. Pedro Acosta came close in 2021 when he clinched the Moto3 title at 17 years and 166 days—just one day older than Capirossi.
He defended his 125cc crown in 1991, then in 1998 added a third title in the 250cc class with Aprilia. Three titles across three different classes demonstrate an adaptability and sharpness few riders possess.
A Historic Win for Ducati
The most iconic moment of Capirossi's career came at the 2003 Catalan Grand Prix. He delivered Ducati's first MotoGP victory, in the Italian manufacturer's debut season in the premier class. It was also Ducati's first Grand Prix win in any class since Mike Hailwood won the 1959 125cc Ulster Grand Prix.
Capirossi won races with three different manufacturers: Yamaha, Honda, and Ducati. He joined an exclusive club of five riders to achieve that feat, alongside Mike Hailwood, Randy Mamola, Eddie Lawson, and Maverick Vinales. He even reached the podium with Suzuki.
The span between his first Grand Prix win at the 1990 British 125cc GP and his last MotoGP win in Japan in 2007 was 17 years and 49 days. Only Valentino Rossi had a longer gap, at 20 years and 311 days.
Retirement and New Role
Capirossi ended his racing career at the end of 2011 in Valencia. With 328 starts, he was the record holder for most Grand Prix weekends contested. His iconic number 65 was officially retired from MotoGP in 2016. After retiring, he remained closely involved in the sport and now serves as a key representative in MotoGP Race Direction.
His involvement in Race Direction shows that Capirossi is not just a legend on track but also contributes to the development of racing regulations and safety. His vast experience as a rider is invaluable when making tough decisions.
During the induction ceremony, Capirossi was visibly emotional. He thanked his family, team, and the fans who supported him throughout his career. This honor completes his legacy as one of the most respected riders in the MotoGP paddock.
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