Four-times 500cc World Championship runner-up Randy Mamola is to be made an official MotoGP legend in a ceremony at this year's Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas.
The American's grand prix career began in 1979 in the 250cc and 500cc classes, with Mamola tallying up an impressive two podium appearances from the four starts he made in the premier category on a Suzuki.
Sticking with Suzuki for the 1980 500cc season, Mamola took his first victories at Spa and Silverstone to finish the year second in the standings.
He would finish runner-up again the following year, doing so for a third time in 1984, though this time with Honda. A fourth runner-up spot followed in 1987 for Yamaha, with Mamola retiring in 1992 following four tough years on Cagiva and Yamaha machinery.
Remaining in the paddock after his retirement, the 13-times race winner was a key figure in the Riders for Health charity, while also taking up TV work and thrilling fans with two-seater Ducati laps on race weekends.
“I didn't expect it, but it was a pleasant surprise to start my day when I got the call,” Mamola, who many consider the greatest rider never to win the world title, said.
“When I told my wife and son, as you can imagine, it was huge congratulations but then 'Oh no, now we have to live with a legend!'
“MotoGP is my life and I've been in the paddock for 39 years. I've seen so many things from when I was first in the paddock at 19 and it's an honour and a privilege for me to be inducted in such a high level group of riders.
“I'm also excited I'll be inducted in Texas with my family and friends coming. After the 'wow', eventually you have to absorb what it is, and then you think about how this is such an honour to be accepted by your peers as well as the people who have run Dorna for the past 25 years.
“I hope somewhere along the line I am able to pay this back even more with the work I continue to do in the paddock.”
Mamola will join an illustrious list of fellow grand prix greats, including Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, the late Angel Nieto and fellow American Kenny Roberts, among many others.
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