List of 250cc/Moto2 Motorcycle World Champions

Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing, which has been divided into three classes since 1990: 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP. Former classes that have been discontinued include 350cc, 50cc/80cc and Sidecar.[1] 250cc is the intermediate category; the 250cc refers to the size of the engines of the motorcycles that race in that class. The engines have twin cylinders, as opposed to the four cylinders used in MotoGP.[2] The Grand Prix Road-Racing World Championship was established in 1949 by the sport's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), and is the oldest motorsport World Championship.[2] The 250cc class was replaced in 2010 by a new class called Moto2. The 250cc engines were replaced by 600cc engines, which were supplied by Honda to all teams.[3]

Each season consists of 12 to 18 Grands Prix contested on closed circuits, as opposed to public roads. Points earned in these events count toward the riders' and constructors' world championships. The rider's and constructor's championship are separate championships, but are based on the same point system. The number of points awarded at the end of each race to the top 15 qualifying riders depends on their placement. Points received by each finisher, from first 1st place to 15th place: 25, 20, 16, 13, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Historically, there have been several points systems.[4] Results from all current Grands Prix count towards the championships; in the past, only a certain number of results were counted.[5]

Phil Read and Max Biaggi have won the most championships, with four each. Dani Pedrosa is the youngest to win the championship; he was 19 years and 18 days old when he won the championship in 2004. Italian riders have won the most championships; 13 riders have won a total of 22 championships. Riders from Great Britain have won the second most; four riders have won a total of nine championships. Germans have won the third most, as four riders have won a total of seven championships. Bruno Ruffo won the inaugural championship in 1949. Hiroshi Aoyama was the last rider to win the 250cc championship in 2009. Toni Elías was the first champion of the Moto2 category.[6] Stefan Bradl is the current champion.

Contents

Champions

All figures correct as of 5 November 2011

Key
* Champion also won 500cc Championship in that season
Champion also won 350cc Championship in that season
# Champion also won 125cc Championship in that season
n/a Information not available
Season Each year is linked to the article about that 250cc Grand prix motorcycle racing season.
250cc/Moto2 Motorcycle World Champions
Season Country Rider Constructor Poles Wins Podiums Fastest laps Points Margin Refs
1949  ITA Ruffo, BrunoBruno Ruffo Moto Guzzi n/a 1 2 0 24 5 [7]
1950  ITA Ambrosini, DarioDario Ambrosini Benelli n/a 3 4 3 24 10 [8]
1951  ITA Ruffo, BrunoBruno Ruffo Moto Guzzi n/a 2 4 3 22 4 [9]
1952  ITA Lorenzetti, EnricoEnrico Lorenzetti Moto Guzzi n/a 2 5 2 28 4 [10]
1953  GER Haas, WernerWerner Haas # NSU n/a 2 5 2 28 5 [11]
1954  GER Haas, WernerWerner Haas NSU n/a 5 5 3 32 6 [11]
1955  GER Müller, Hermann PaulHermann Paul Müller NSU n/a 1 3 1 16 2 [12]
1956  ITA Ubbiali, CarloCarlo Ubbiali # MV Agusta n/a 5 5 4 32 6 [13]
1957  UK Sandford, CecilCecil Sandford Mondial n/a 2 5 0 26 10 [14]
1958  ITA Provini, TarquinioTarquinio Provini MV Agusta n/a 4 4 5 32 16 [15]
1959  ITA Ubbiali, CarloCarlo Ubbiali # MV Agusta n/a 2 5 2 28 12 [13]
1960  ITA Ubbiali, CarloCarlo Ubbiali # MV Agusta n/a 4 6 4 32 4 [13]
1961  UK Hailwood, MikeMike Hailwood Honda n/a 4 8 3 44 6 [16]
1962  RAN Redman, JimJim Redman Honda n/a 6 9 2 48 16 [17]
1963  RAN Redman, JimJim Redman Honda n/a 4 9 2 44 2 [17]
1964  UK Read, PhilPhil Read Yamaha n/a 5 7 4 46 4 [18]
1965  UK Read, PhilPhil Read Yamaha n/a 7 9 6 56 14 [18]
1966  UK Hailwood, MikeMike Hailwood Honda n/a 10 10 8 56 22 [19]
1967  UK Hailwood, MikeMike Hailwood Honda n/a 5 8 7 50 0 [19]
1968  UK Read, PhilPhil Read # Yamaha n/a 5 7 5 46 0 [18]
1969  AUS Carruthers, KelKel Carruthers Benelli n/a 3 7 3 89 5 [20]
1970  UK Gould, RodneyRodney Gould Yamaha n/a 6 9 3 102 18 [20]
1971  UK Read, PhilPhil Read Yamaha n/a 3 5 3 73 5 [18]
1972  FIN Saarinen, JarnoJarno Saarinen Yamaha n/a 4 9 6 94 1 [21]
1973  GER Braun, DieterDieter Braun Yamaha n/a 4 5 2 80 16 [20]
1974  ITA Villa, WalterWalter Villa Harley-Davidson 1 4 5 3 77 19 [22]
1975  ITA Villa, WalterWalter Villa Harley-Davidson 5 5 6 4 85 9 [22]
1976  ITA Villa, WalterWalter Villa Harley-Davidson 7 7 8 7 90 17 [22]
1977  ITA Lega, MarioMario Lega Morbidelli 0 1 5 1 85 13 [23]
1978  ZAF Ballington, KorkKork Ballington Kawasaki 5 4 8 4 124 6 [24]
1979  ZAF Ballington, KorkKork Ballington Kawasaki 3 7 9 7 141 60 [24]
1980  GER Mang, AntonAnton Mang Kawasaki 9 4 10 4 128 41 [25]
1981  GER Mang, AntonAnton Mang Kawasaki 10 10 11 9 160 65 [25]
1982  FRA Tournadre, Jean-LouisJean-Louis Tournadre Yamaha 0 1 8 2 118 1 [26]
1983  VEN Lavado, CarlosCarlos Lavado Yamaha 1 4 6 2 100 27 [27]
1984  FRA Sarron, ChristianChristian Sarron Yamaha 3 3 8 1 109 9 [28]
1985  USA Spencer, FreddieFreddie Spencer * Honda 6 7 8 6 127 3 [29]
1986  VEN Lavado, CarlosCarlos Lavado Yamaha 7 6 8 3 114 6 [27]
1987  GER Mang, AntonAnton Mang Honda 1 8 8 1 136 28 [30]
1988  ESP Pons, SitoSito Pons Honda 1 4 11 2 231 10 [31]
1989  ESP Pons, SitoSito Pons Honda 3 7 12 7 262 72 [31]
1990  USA Kocinski, JohnJohn Kocinski Yamaha 8 7 12 8 223 15 [32]
1991  ITA Cadalora, LucaLuca Cadalora Honda 4 8 12 8 237 17 [33]
1992  ITA Cadalora, LucaLuca Cadalora Honda 2 7 9 3 203 64 [33]
1993  JPN Harada, TetsuyaTetsuya Harada Yamaha 2 4 7 3 197 4 [32]
1994  ITA Biaggi, MaxMax Biaggi Aprilia 7 5 10 8 234 20 [34]
1995  ITA Biaggi, MaxMax Biaggi Aprilia 9 8 12 7 283 63 [34]
1996  ITA Biaggi, MaxMax Biaggi Aprilia 8 9 11 9 274 6 [34]
1997  ITA Biaggi, MaxMax Biaggi Honda 3 5 10 2 250 2 [34]
1998  ITA Capirossi, LorisLoris Capirossi Aprilia 8 2 9 3 204 3 [35]
1999  ITA Rossi, ValentinoValentino Rossi Aprilia 5 9 12 8 309 48 [36]
2000  FRA Jacque, OlivierOlivier Jacque Yamaha 5 3 11 4 279 7 [37]
2001  JPN Kato, DaijiroDaijiro Kato Honda 6 11 13 9 322 49 [38]
2002  ITA Melandri, MarcoMarco Melandri Aprilia 2 9 12 4 298 57 [39]
2003  SMR Poggiali, ManuelManuel Poggiali Aprilia 3 4 10 6 249 14 [40]
2004  ESP Pedrosa, DaniDani Pedrosa Honda 4 7 13 8 317 61 [41]
2005  ESP Pedrosa, DaniDani Pedrosa Honda 5 8 11 7 309 55 [41]
2006  ESP Lorenzo, JorgeJorge Lorenzo Aprilia 10 8 11 1 289 17 [42]
2007  ESP Lorenzo, JorgeJorge Lorenzo Aprilia 9 9 12 3 312 52 [42]
2008  ITA Simoncelli, MarcoMarco Simoncelli Gilera 7 6 12 4 281 37 [43]
2009  JPN Aoyama, HiroshiHiroshi Aoyama Honda 2 4 7 4 261 22 [44]
2010  ESP Elías, ToniToni Elías Moriwaki 3 7 8 2 271 70 [6]
2011  GER Bradl, StefanStefan Bradl Kalex 7 4 11 3 274 23 [45]

By rider

250cc Motorcycle world champions by driver
Rider Total Seasons
Read, PhilPhil Read 4 1964, 1965, 1968, 1971
Biaggi, MaxMax Biaggi 4 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
Ubbiali, CarloCarlo Ubbiali 3 1956, 1959, 1960
Hailwood, MikeMike Hailwood 3 1961, 1966, 1967
Villa, WalterWalter Villa 3 1974, 1975, 1976
Mang, AntonAnton Mang 3 1980, 1981, 1987
Ruffo, BrunoBruno Ruffo 2 1949, 1951
Haas, WernerWerner Haas 2 1953, 1954
Redman, JimJim Redman 2 1962, 1963
Ballington, KorkKork Ballington 2 1978, 1979
Lavado, CarlosCarlos Lavado 2 1983, 1986
Pons, SitoSito Pons 2 1988, 1989
Cadalora, LucaLuca Cadalora 2 1991, 1992
Pedrosa, DaniDani Pedrosa 2 2004, 2005
Lorenzo, JorgeJorge Lorenzo 2 2006, 2007
Ambrosini, DarioDario Ambrosini 1 1950
Lorenzetti, EnricoEnrico Lorenzetti 1 1952
Müller, Hermann PaulHermann Paul Müller 1 1955
Sandford, CecilCecil Sandford 1 1957
Provini, TarquinioTarquinio Provini 1 1958
Carruthers, KelKel Carruthers 1 1969
Gould, RodneyRodney Gould 1 1970
Saarinen, JarnoJarno Saarinen 1 1972
Braun, DieterDieter Braun 1 1973
Lega, MarioMario Lega 1 1977
Tournadre, Jean-LouisJean-Louis Tournadre 1 1982
Sarron, ChristianChristian Sarron 1 1984
Spencer, FreddieFreddie Spencer 1 1985
Kocinski, JohnJohn Kocinski 1 1990
Harada, TetsuyaTetsuya Harada 1 1993
Capirossi, LorisLoris Capirossi 1 1998
Rossi, ValentinoValentino Rossi 1 1999
Jacque, OlivierOlivier Jacque 1 2000
Kato, DaijiroDaijiro Kato 1 2001
Melandri, MarcoMarco Melandri 1 2002
Poggiali, ManuelManuel Poggiali 1 2003
Simoncelli, MarcoMarco Simoncelli 1 2008
Aoyama, HiroshiHiroshi Aoyama 1 2009
Elías, ToniToni Elías 1 2010
Bradl, StefanStefan Bradl 1 2011

By constructor

250cc Motorcycle world champions by constructor
Constructor Total
Honda 16
Yamaha 14
Aprilia 9
MV Agusta 4
Kawasaki 4
NSU 3
Harley-Davidson 3
Moto Guzzi 3
Benelli 2
Mondial 1
Morbidelli 1
Gilera 1
Moriwaki 1
Kalex 1

By nationality

250cc Motorcycle world champions by nationality
Nationality Riders Total
Italian 13 22
British 4 9
German 5 8
Spanish 4 7
French 3 3
Japanese 3 3
American 2 2
Rhodesian 1 2
South African 1 2
Venezuelan 1 2
Finnish 1 1
Australian 1 1
Sammarinese 1 1

References

Bibliography
  • Frank, Aaron (2003). Honda Motorcycles. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 0760310777. 
  • Marshall, Anne (1997). Guinness Book of Knowledge. Guinness Publishing. ISBN 0-85112-046-6. 
  • Walker, Mick (1998). Mick Walker's Italian Racing Motorcycles. Redline Books. ISBN 0953131114. 
  • Walker, Mick (2001). Mick Walker's Japanese Grand Prix Racing Motorcycles. Redline Books. ISBN 0953131181. 
Specific
  1. ^ Marshall. p. 289. 
  2. ^ a b "About MotoGP". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/About+MotoGP. Retrieved 24 December 2008. 
  3. ^ "2010 Moto2 class to be powered by Honda". MotoGP. 2 May 2009. http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/2010+Moto2+class+to+be+powered+by+Honda. Retrieved 8 August 2009. 
  4. ^ "FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations 2009" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. 31 January 2009. p. 44. http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/Codes_et_reglements/ROAD_RACING_GP_Eng.pdf. Retrieved 2 September 2009. 
  5. ^ "Key Rules". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/about+MotoGP/key+rules. Retrieved 15 January 2009. 
  6. ^ a b "Elías makes history as first Moto2 World Champion". Dorna Sports. 10 October 2010. http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/Elias+reaction+to+Moto2+title. 
  7. ^ Walker. Mick Walker's Italian Racing Motorcycles. p. 145. 
  8. ^ "The glorious Benelli name in the world of competition". Benelli. http://www.benelli.com/eng/aziendaCompetizioni.asp. Retrieved 2 August 2009. 
  9. ^ Walker. Mick Walker's Italian Racing Motorcycles. p. 145. 
  10. ^ Walker. Mick Walker's Italian Racing Motorcycles. p. 178. 
  11. ^ a b "Werner Haas". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Werner+Haas. Retrieved 2 August 2009. 
  12. ^ "50 Years Ago: H.P. Müller Motorcycle World Champion for NSU". Audi. 21 July 2005. http://www.audiworld.com/news/05/072105/content.shtml. Retrieved 2 August 2009. 
  13. ^ a b c "Carlo Ubbiali". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Carlo+Ubbiali. Retrieved 31 July 2009. 
  14. ^ Langford, David (20 June 2006). "World-class double act". The Oxford Times. http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/lifestyle/thisweek/799796.wordclass_double_act/. Retrieved 2 August 2009. 
  15. ^ "Tarquinio Provini". Grand Prix motorcycle racing. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Tarquinio+Provini. Retrieved 2 August 2009. 
  16. ^ Frank. p. 58. 
  17. ^ a b "Jim Redman". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Jim+Redman. Retrieved 31 July 2009. 
  18. ^ a b c d "Phil Read". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Phil+Read. Retrieved 2 August 2009. 
  19. ^ a b Frank. p. 65. 
  20. ^ a b c "Yamaha Classic Racing Team commit to TT Centenary celebrations". Isle of Man TT. http://www.iomtt.com/News/2007/03/20/Yamaha-Classic-Racing-Team-commit-to-TT-Centenary-celebrations.aspx. Retrieved 1 August 2009. 
  21. ^ "Jarno Saarinen". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Jarno+Saarinen. Retrieved 31 July 2009. 
  22. ^ a b c "Obituary: Walter Villa". The Guardian. 16 July 2002. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2002/jul/16/guardianobituaries.sport. Retrieved 31 July 2009. 
  23. ^ Walker. Mick Walker's Italian Racing Motorcycles. p. 160. 
  24. ^ a b "Kork Ballington". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Kork+Ballington. Retrieved 2 August 2009. 
  25. ^ a b Walker. Mick Walker's Japanese grand prix racing motorcycles. p. 100. 
  26. ^ "Jean-Louis Tournadre". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Jean+Louis+Tournadre. Retrieved 2 August 2009. 
  27. ^ a b Walker. Mick Walker's Japanese grand prix racing motorcycles. p. 27. 
  28. ^ "Christian Sarron". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Christian+Sarron. Retrieved 2 August 2009. 
  29. ^ Ash, Kevin (1 May 2001). "Right men, right machines". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/4749962/Right-men-right-machines.html. Retrieved 31 July 2009. 
  30. ^ "Anton Mang". MotoGP. http://www.motogp.com/en/riders/profiles/Anton+Mang. Retrieved 31 July 2009. 
  31. ^ a b "Pons Racing Springs Early Season Surprise". World Series by Renault. 1 May 2009. http://www.renault-sport.com/en/world_series/formulaV6/news.php?news=96248.html. Retrieved 31 July 2009. 
  32. ^ a b "Statistics 2006" (PDF). MotoGP. 22 March 2006. http://images.motogp.com/images/info/portugal/thu/stats_por.pdf. Retrieved 30 July 2009. 
  33. ^ a b "History 1990-1994". Honda. http://world.honda.com/HRC/history/1990_1994/. Retrieved 30 July 2009. 
  34. ^ a b c d "Max Biaggi". World Superbikes. http://www.worldsbk.com/teams-e-riders/rider?pilota=1620. Retrieved 30 July 2009. 
  35. ^ "Loris Capirossi". Ducati. http://www.ducati.com/racing/06/gp/capirossi/index.jhtml?family=gpteam&modelName=capirossi. Retrieved 30 July 2009. 
  36. ^ "Valentino Rossi". Yamaha Motor Company. http://www.yamaha-racing.com/Racing/motogp/rider_team/rossi.jsp. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  37. ^ "Jacque wins thriller to seal title". BBC Sport. 29 October 2000. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/996757.stm. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  38. ^ "Kato dies from crash injuries". BBC Sport. 19 April 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/2932989.stm. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  39. ^ "Profile of 250cc World Champion Marco Melandri". MotoGP. 20 October 2002. http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2002/Profile+of+250cc+World+Champion+Marco+Melandri. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  40. ^ "Manuel Poggiali 250cc World Champion". MotoGP. 2 November 2003. http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2003/Manuel+Poggiali+250cc+World+Champion. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  41. ^ a b "Pedrosa sidelined after surgery". BBC Sport. 24 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7202605.stm. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  42. ^ a b "Jorge Lorenzo". Yamaha. http://www.yamaha-racing.com/Racing/motogp/rider_team/lorenzo.jsp. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  43. ^ "Simoncelli wins 250cc title despite Bautista race victory". MotoGP. 19 October 2008. http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Simoncelli+wins+250cc+title+despite+Bautista+race+victory. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  44. ^ "Aoyama is 250cc champion as Barberá wins at Valencia". MotoGP. 8 November 2009. http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/250+race+valencia+barbera. 
  45. ^ "Pirro on pole in rain hindered qualifying, Bradl claims Moto2 title". Dorna Sports. 5 November 2011. http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/valencia+ricardo+tormo+qp+moto2. 
250cc/Moto2 Motorcycle World Champions
   
Info
Champions