Even if you are only a casual fan of MotoGP or a newcomer to the sport, there is one thing that will be very noticeable almost immediately. In addition to the intense competition and incredible skill of the riders and teams, there is a distinctly Spanish and Italian feel to this class of motorsports.
Every sport will have particular teams or individuals that have done well over the years but it is not an exaggeration to say that Spain and Italy have completely dominated MotoGP for about as long as there has been a racing class given the name.
But why do we see Spanish or Italian riders on the podiums all the time? As with every kind of motorsport, MotoGP enjoys a global calendar, meaning that there are fans of all nationalities enjoying the races. But time after time we are celebrating victories for riders that come from just two countries. It is not a problem that Spain and Italy dominate the sport but is there any chance of other riders coming through?
Long List of Champions
In the modern era, there have only been three MotoGP champions who have not been born in Spain or Italy. Casey Stoner continued a fine tradition of Australian MotoGP riders when he won in 2007 and 2011 and American Nicky Hayden won the title in 2006. And Fabio Quartararo broke the most recent Spanish-Italian stranglehold just three years ago, becoming the first-ever Frenchman to claim a championship in this racing class.
Further back in the history books, you will find mentions of more American champions, as well as Australians and riders from the UK. But from the turn of the century, we have mostly enjoyed Italian or Spanish success. The likes of Valentino Rossi, Marc Márquez, and most recently Francesco Bagnaia have been receiving most of the plaudits and riders from other countries have not been able to get a look in.
Rider Nationality
When you take a quick glance at the list of riders competing in MotoGP, the fact that the eventual champions tend to come from Spain or Italy should not come as a surprise. The roster for MotoGP across all teams heavily features riders from those two countries. In fact, only around 1 in 4 do not have a Spanish or Italian passport.
You may find a lone Japanese, German, or South African proudly representing their part of the world on some of the teams but Spain and Italy provide the bulk of talent. The laws of probability dictate that we are more likely to see Spanish and Italian champions and at the time of writing, halfway through the 2024 season, no other nation has stood on the winner’s podium at a Grand Prix.
A Culture of MotoGP
There doesn’t seem too much happening that will change the current situation, with Spanish and Italian riders making up the majority of the teams. Part of the reason for that would seem to be that those two nations have more of a MotoGP culture than anywhere else. The sport is in the blood there.
It is true that both nations enjoy a culture of motorsports, with bikes being favored more than cars. Everyone seems to ride a moped or scooter in Italy, for example, so moving up through the classes to ride the most powerful bikes would not be as uncommon as in other parts of the world, perhaps.
With younger riders encouraged to compete, there is a never-ending conveyor belt of talent coming through. Those riders are also able to see champions from their own country and start dreaming of emulating their heroes. A cycle of success began years ago and the results are for everyone to see.
Changing the Future
We should say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with Spain and Italy dominating MotoGP. Fans are able to enjoy watching some of the greatest riders ever to get on a bike and it doesn’t really matter where they come from. But, as a sport, MotoGP may want to attract more interest from other parts of the world.
The introduction of the Trackhouse Racing team was a step in that direction. The way that the US has embraced F1 in the last few years, thanks to TV shows and the high profile of some celebrity fans, is surely the blueprint for all other kinds of motorsport wanting to attract more money and sponsors.
There have been some new talent cups added to the calendar as well, with the idea of introducing MotoGP to younger riders and fans in other parts of the world. But there are still a lot of Spanish and Italian riders in the minor classes so it doesn’t seem like anything will change on that front in the next few years.
MotoGP continues to be dominated by Spain and Italy but we could see riders from other countries coming through in the next few decades. Although fans always just want to see the most talented MotoGP riders, no matter where they were born, for the sport to grow and become a bigger spectacle, more worldwide representation is probably needed.