This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Alex Criville MotoGP Legend

JPSLotus

JPSLotus

Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
Meant to post this when it was announced but forgot to do so.

At Catalunya, they announced Alex Criville as the newest addition to the MotoGP Legends.


He was World Champion of 1999, though I suspect had Mick Doohan not suffered his injury and retired, Mick would have been the 1999 500cc World Champion. However that was not the case and he was the only besides Valentino Rossi to win both the 125cc and 500cc world titles. He won the 1999 title fair and square regardless. But I'm not sure I'd consider the guy a legend in any stretch of the word. Feels a bit like the Nicky Hayden choice (sorry Jum) where it felt more a stretch to go there.

Thoughts on Criville being a worthy choice or not?
 
Someone who never beat his team mate in a straight up championship battle is hardly a legend. He did push Doohan sometimes, but rarely looked like he was a real threat to him.

I agree that he would never have won the 1999 championship except for Doohans Jerez crash. Pretty low standards to be considered a legend when he never beat his team mate and only won a single WC due to an injury. If he had not won that WC, most would consider those 6 years on the NSR a failure.
 
Short answer ............ NO

Short version of Long answer is that whilst to many, every person that wins a world championship is a legend in some way, not everyone who wins a world championship is a legend at the highest level.

For mine (and I have said this previously in other threads) 2 world championships is not sufficient for you to be considered a legend of the sport if one is to look at legend in true sense, which obviously DORNA do not given some that have been inducted.

Good rider, hell yes but not a great rider and certainly no legend.

Again, I and others have said this previously but it is a mockery to include some of these people in the same manner of recognition with the true legends of the sport (of course all IMO)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
I think it's easy to overlook how handy he was on a 125, although the Cobas built machine was a work of genius.

I was taking a leak at Laguna Seca in the paddock piss house - can't recall which year - and he came in and peed in the stall next to me. Not one ...... in there recognised him so I shouted that there was a 500cc WC in the house. Still nothing registered. Nonetheless, he fled in embarrassment and possibly before I demanded that everyone compare knob sizes. Dicks aside, the guy's certainly got more in the way of testicular mass than all of our ...... combined.

I also remember sitting on the hill one year at Craners during Saturday qualifying and he sauntered down with Angel Nieto. I think they were working for some Spanish TV network at the time. Again, no one appeared to know who he was. I'll find the photo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
2 world titles is still pretty good. But legendary? Don't think so either.

Agree as well that 1999 would not have happened if Doohan had not crashed. Was screaming at the TV for sure when it happened
 
I consider Okada more a legend coming 2nd in the championship and ahead of Criville in 97 on the twin.
 
He is only in the club cos he was the first spaniard to win the big title. So no. legend is to often used.
 
So why not, say, Roberts Jr. or Lucchinelli? I guess passport also counts in this marketing nonsense, no luck when your country already has several other "legends"... :)
 
J4rn0 said:
So why not, say, Roberts Jr. or Lucchinelli? I guess passport also counts in this marketing nonsense, no luck when your country already has several other "legends"... :)
Click to expand...

In KRJR's case it can't be a passport issue as Hayden got into the legends having finished his motogp career a lot later. Same number of premier titles as well.
 
MdubSTYLIE said:
No one with only two titles should be considered a legend.
Click to expand...

Revvy Kevvy only has 1 title. And he quit. Crying.

But seriously, I've said it before and I will say it again. The Legends thing is utter ......... A crapulent marketing line that diminishes the fact that the ultimate accolade is being World ....... Champion. Even Alzamora can't have that taken away.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
Arrabbiata1 said:
I think it's easy to overlook how handy he was on a 125, although the Cobas built machine was a work of genius.

I was taking a leak at Laguna Seca in the paddock piss house - can't recall which year - and he came in and peed in the stall next to me. Not one ...... in there recognised him so I shouted that there was a 500cc WC in the house. Still nothing registered. Nonetheless, he fled in embarrassment and possibly before I demanded that everyone compare knob sizes. Dicks aside, the guy's certainly got more in the way of testicular mass than all of our ...... combined.

I also remember sitting on the hill one year at Craners during Saturday qualifying and he sauntered down with Angel Nieto. I think they were working for some Spanish TV network at the time. Again, no one appeared to know who he was. I'll find the photo.
Click to expand...

Interesting post. We could start a whole debate discussing whether Arabb's a heckler or not.
Glad to see the letters C A S E Y are broken on JPS's keyboard and he's forced to discuss other retired riders.
This is a great thread. We must use it when new Boppers come around. They should have to give an informed opinion on this pre Rossi era topic before being allowed to debate.
I disnt watch back then but I do know who Criville is. GP's standard for achieving legend status seems to be dying or having a recognizable name, so Im ok with the decision
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
JohnnyKnockdown said:
Interesting post. We could start a whole debate discussing whether Arabb's a heckler or not.
Glad to see the letters C A S E Y are broken on JPS's keyboard and he's forced to discuss other retired riders.
This is a great thread. We must use it when new Boppers come around. They should have to give an informed opinion on this pre Rossi era topic before being allowed to debate.
I disnt watch back then but I do know who Criville is. GP's standard for achieving legend status seems to be dying or having a recognizable name, so Im ok with the decision
Click to expand...
Motorbikes were invented for Rossi weren't they? Your telling me there was bike racing before then?

On a serious note I watched a documentary on sheene a couple of weeks ago, way before my time but that guy was a hard ........ Assume he is in the legends club?
 
Kork Ballington, never mentioned much but 4 wc's for Kawasaki is worth a shout.
 
Deefer Dogg said:
In KRJR's case it can't be a passport issue as Hayden got into the legends having finished his motogp career a lot later. Same number of premier titles as well.
Click to expand...

Having the same name as another Legend who happens to be his father certainly didn't help much...

This legend invention is meaningless. Next will be Superbike legends, and Hayden could have a shot at becoming a double legend... :happy:
 
Add another voice to Criville not really being "a legend." He was the Dani Pedrosa of his time.
However, there are some people with no world titles to their name where I would not hesitate to use the word legend to describe them.

Joey Dunlop and Stirling Moss come to mind, I'm sure there are others.

The legends in MGP is kind of like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a soulless corporate marketing scheme.
 
J4rn0 said:
Having the same name as another Legend who happens to be his father certainly didn't help much...

This legend invention is meaningless. Next will be Superbike legends, and Hayden could have a shot at becoming a double legend... :happy:
Click to expand...

I think there should be nominations for MotoGP myths...I can think of a few major ones immediately.
 

Similar threads

MichaelBolton
RIP Phil Read aka "The Prince of Speed"
Replies
2
Views
640
Keshav
Keshav
Barbedwirebikerr
Fast Freddie to chair MotoGP stewards panel.
Replies
17
Views
3K
Theo
Theo
J
Carmelo Ezpeleta's Grand Plan, Or The Long History Behind Tech3's Switch To KTM
Replies
12
Views
3K
AntG
A
G
Top 10 Race Winners (500cc/MotoGP) not to win the title
Replies
5
Views
2K
Keshav
Keshav
shaunna
Dovi: Simoncelli - my true regret
Replies
14
Views
3K
RCV600RR
R

Recent Discussions