Three-time premier class runner-up Andrea Dovizioso will be named as a MotoGP Legend later this year, the Italian joined in the honour by German rider Hans-Georg Ansheidt.
Dovizioso’s storied premier class career came to an end following last year’s San Marino Grand Prix after electing to step down early as a result of a tough ’22 campaign running one of RNF Racing’s Yamaha M1’s, thus leaving him with a stout record of 15 wins, 62 podiums and seven pole positions across his 14-season long career.
He also scored a 125cc world title and two successive vice-champion finishes in the 250cc class prior to his MotoGP graduation in 2008, while an emphatic run with Ducati across the 2017, ‘18 and ‘19 seasons saw him rack up three straight championship runners-up results as he emerged as Marc Marquez’s greatest rival across this period – the duo enjoying several iconic battles in the process.
With Dovizioso set to be inducted into the MotoGP Legends roster at his home grand prix at Mugello in May, he admitted he was “surprised” to find out he would receive the honour and added that the achievement is “really special.”
“I’m looking forward to coming back to the paddock to visit, and to be inducted at the Italian Grand Prix makes it really special,” said Dovizioso.
“I’m surprised and very happy, happy to become a MotoGP Legend. So thank you very much!”
“I’m looking forward to coming back to the paddock to visit, and to be inducted at the Italian Grand Prix makes it really special.
“I’m surprised and very happy, happy to become a MotoGP Legend, so thank you very much!”
Ansheidt meanwhile will become a MotoGP Legend as a celebration of his three-successive 50cc titles with Suzuki between 1966-’68, the now 87 year-old having racked up a grand total of 14 wins and 34 rostrums in only 48 starts in the class.
He will be inducted into MotoGP’s hall of fame at his home event at the Sachsenring in June, an honour he says is a “great pleasure” to receive.
“It is a great pleasure for me to become a MotoGP legend,” said Ansheidt.
“I did not expect it, as the 50cc class came years after the other classes of the World Championship had started and is long gone.
“I am very happy, and I will do all I can to come to the Sachsenring together with my son.
“The 50cc class was very special for me as I was racing bigger offroad bikes before and had to learn to handle these tiny, wobbly beasts with their narrow power band and narrow two-inch tires that had no margin for error.”
