It's hard to find someone interested in motorcycles but didn’t hear of MotoGP. Many fans have wallpapers on their phones or posters in their room of the legendary racers like Valentino Rossi or Marc Márquez. Stickers with "VR46" or "MM93" on bikes are very common among young bikers. 

MotoGP is the highest level of motorcycle track racing, known as the Motorcycle Grand Prix (Moto Grand Prix). Since its starting in 1949, it has remained the most popular bike racing event in the world. In this article, we'll provide an overview of MotoGP.

MotoGP - History

MotoGP started in 1949 and was known as "Motorcycle Grand Prix Racing." The term "Grand" means great, and "Prix" in French means reward or prize. Together, it signifies the "Great Prize of Motorcycle Racing," referring to both prize money and the highest honor.

The Federation International de Motocyclisme (FIM) took the initiative to form an international motorcycle racing championship. In its first year, the competition had four categories: 125cc, 250cc, 500cc, and 600cc sidecars. Sidecars are a type of bike with both a driver and a passenger. In the 1950s, Italian manufacturers like MV Agusta and Gilera dominated motorcycle racing. MV Agusta won many championships.

In the 1960s, Japanese manufacturer Honda entered the event and quickly established a strong presence. During this time, significant advancements were made in motorcycle technology and engineering. In the 1970s, Yamaha and Suzuki also joined and created intense competition. Since then, MotoGP has been known for its thrilling races.

In 2002, the 500cc category was upgraded to 990cc. Although it was reduced to 800cc in 2007, it was increased again to 1000cc in 2012, which is still in place till now. Alongside MotoGP, Moto 2 and Moto 3 championships are held for entry-level riders, acting as pre-stages for MotoGP.

MotoGP Rules

As with any event, MotoGP has certain rules and regulations for participation:

MotoGP - General Participation Rules:

1) Riders must be at least 18 years old to participate in the MotoGP category, while for Moto 2 and Moto 3, the minimum age is 16.

2) Every rider must have an international racing license approved by FIM. This is not like a regular driving license but is based on the rider's skill and experience.

3) Racing teams must get approval from FIM and IRTA (International Road-Racing Teams Association) to participate. While approving they should must submit details of their budget, sponsors, and stakeholders for the entire season.

For MotoGP, bikes must have a 1000cc engine. In Moto2, 765cc engines are used, and in Moto3, 250cc engines are used. Each category has specific weight requirements; for example, MotoGP bikes should be a minimum of 157kg.

There are designated tire and fuel suppliers for the MotoGP events. All teams are required to use these and are prohibited from using any other brands.

MotoGP - Competition Rules:

Qualifying Session: Before each race, there is a qualifying session where riders' lap times determine their grid positions for the race.

Race Start: The race starts using a grid system, where riders take positions based on their qualification times.

Points System: After each race, points are awarded to the top 15 riders. First place gets 25 points, second place gets 20, and third place receives 16 points, continuing down the ranks. The rider or team with the highest points at the end of the season is declared the champion.

Penalties and Punishment: FIM officials inspect the bikes and riders before and after the race to ensure all rules are followed. If a rider leaves the track during the race or violates the flag signals, a time penalty is added to their lap time. Severe penalties are took places if a team uses unauthorized electronic devices or engines that haven’t been registered. A racing team can register a maximum of 7 engines per season. Punishment may include fines, point deductions, or disqualification from races.

MotoGP Legends

Italian rider Giacomo Agostini holds the record for winning the most championships. He achived total 15 world championship and a total of 122 Grand Prix races. Following him is another Italian rider Valentino Rossi, known to all the bike lovers as "VR46." Rossi has been a nine-time world champion. His career which performed from 1996 to 2021 is filled with numerous achievements and known as the nickname "The Doctor."

In third place is the current sensation, Spanish rider Marc Marquez. He has won six world championships since 2013. He is popularly known worldwide as "MM93." Another Spanish rider, Jorge Lorenzo, has won five championships, and his rival battle with Marquez is intense and exciting.

These riders have set incredible examples with their unique styles and extraordinary success which inspires future generations of racers. They’ve played a key role in making MotoGP one of the most popular motorcycle racing events worldwide.

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