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I was listening to a podcast (Bring Back V10's) by the Race recently. The series is focused on the V10 F1 era (1989-2005) and associated stories. Often very interesting snippets that can now be told given the passage of time. Their latest episode was the top 10 driver moves of the era, so I thought it would be fun to do one for the MotoGP era (2002 onwards) - No 500cc moves Kesh!
Now, this isn't just 'the most famous riders' as I know most people consider Rossi to Yamaha in 2004 to be top. However, the list has to consider impacts on the sport as a whole. For example. On the podcast, they had Schumacher to Ferrari in 1995 only as #5, because while it opened up the door to a huge amount of success, it was simply a top driver moving to a 'top' team. They had Schumachers moved to Benetton from Jordan in 1991 as higher up, because it in effect started the Schumacher era. #1 was Senna to Williams, mainly because it indirectly was the cause of his death, and the wave of safety changes in the sport afterwards. It also left F1 without a star driver.
So with that in mind, here if my top 10
10. Biaggi to Camel Honda - 2003 (The final nail in the Yamaha coffin, leading them to pursuing Rossi for 2004)
9. Stoner retirement - 2011 (Retired arguably in his prime. And opened up the path for Marquez to join Repsol Honda while saving Pedrosa's Honda career for 5 more yrs)
8. Rossi to Yamaha - 2004 (Superstar moving to another team, also proving Honda wrong that 'anyone could win on their bike. They were not a consistent championship winner for another 8 yrs)
7. Stoner to Ducati - 2007 (Unexpected dominance, proving Stoner as a top MotoGP rider. Cause of Michelin leaving MotoGP a year later)
6. Marquez to Honda - 2013 (Rookie Champion, started the Marquez era)
5. Lorenzo to Repsol Honda - 2019 (So much promise, but ultimately ended his career and contributed to the downfall of Honda)
4. Pedrosa to Honda - 2006 (Pedrosa was the primary reason Honda pushed the 800cc era, and developed the 2007 Pedrocycle)
3. Marquez to Gresini Ducati - 2024 (No explanation needed)
2. Rossi to Yamaha - 2013 (Arguably was the contributing factor to the whole 2015 animosity, which resonates in the sport to this day)
1. Rossi to Ducati - 2011 (Abject failure which arguably considerably dropped Rossi's stock, and also finally proved that the Ducati was a dog which lead to them hiring Gigi Dallignia and opening up the dominance they currently have. It also pushed Stoners stock through the roof)
What are your guys?
Now, this isn't just 'the most famous riders' as I know most people consider Rossi to Yamaha in 2004 to be top. However, the list has to consider impacts on the sport as a whole. For example. On the podcast, they had Schumacher to Ferrari in 1995 only as #5, because while it opened up the door to a huge amount of success, it was simply a top driver moving to a 'top' team. They had Schumachers moved to Benetton from Jordan in 1991 as higher up, because it in effect started the Schumacher era. #1 was Senna to Williams, mainly because it indirectly was the cause of his death, and the wave of safety changes in the sport afterwards. It also left F1 without a star driver.
So with that in mind, here if my top 10
10. Biaggi to Camel Honda - 2003 (The final nail in the Yamaha coffin, leading them to pursuing Rossi for 2004)
9. Stoner retirement - 2011 (Retired arguably in his prime. And opened up the path for Marquez to join Repsol Honda while saving Pedrosa's Honda career for 5 more yrs)
8. Rossi to Yamaha - 2004 (Superstar moving to another team, also proving Honda wrong that 'anyone could win on their bike. They were not a consistent championship winner for another 8 yrs)
7. Stoner to Ducati - 2007 (Unexpected dominance, proving Stoner as a top MotoGP rider. Cause of Michelin leaving MotoGP a year later)
6. Marquez to Honda - 2013 (Rookie Champion, started the Marquez era)
5. Lorenzo to Repsol Honda - 2019 (So much promise, but ultimately ended his career and contributed to the downfall of Honda)
4. Pedrosa to Honda - 2006 (Pedrosa was the primary reason Honda pushed the 800cc era, and developed the 2007 Pedrocycle)
3. Marquez to Gresini Ducati - 2024 (No explanation needed)
2. Rossi to Yamaha - 2013 (Arguably was the contributing factor to the whole 2015 animosity, which resonates in the sport to this day)
1. Rossi to Ducati - 2011 (Abject failure which arguably considerably dropped Rossi's stock, and also finally proved that the Ducati was a dog which lead to them hiring Gigi Dallignia and opening up the dominance they currently have. It also pushed Stoners stock through the roof)
What are your guys?