Grand Prix legend Mick Doohan (Photo: Honda Pro Images)

Premier Class (500cc, MotoGP) “Batting Averages”

Winning Percentage All Time (1949 to Present)

1 John Surtees 64.7% (22 of 34)
2 Giacomo Agostini 57.1% (68 of 119)
3 Mike Hailwood 56.9% (37 of 65)
4 Geoff Duke 40.0% (22 of 55)
5 Valentino Rossi 39.7% (79 of 199)
6 Mick Doohan 39.4% (54 of 137)
7 Gary Hocking 38.1% (8 of 21)
8 Kenny Roberts (Snr) 37.9% (22 of 58)
9 Casey Stoner 32.7% (33 of 101)
10 Freddie Spencer 32.3% (20 of 62)

Comment: You could say that Surtees and Hocking didn’t get enough 'at bats' but 'Long John’s' winning percentage of 64.7% will not be broken by anyone riding today unless we have a withdrawal of all factories but one as happened at different points in the careers of Surtees and Agostini. Hailwood had a couple of years with the dominant MV, but had to battle with his Hondas against Agostini in those great ’66 and ’67 seasons. As the balance of power stands today, it is hard to imagine anyone of today’s riders getting close to that .647 batting average of John Surtees.

Winning Percentage (“Modern Era” 1976 to Present)

1 Valentino Rossi 39.7% (79 of 199)
2 Mick Doohan 39.4% (54 of 137)
3 Kenny Roberts (Snr) 37.9% (22 of 58)
4 Casey Stoner 32.7% (33 of 101)
5 Freddie Spencer 32.3% (20 of 62)
6 Wayne Rainey 28.9% (24 of 83)
7 Jorge Lorenzo 26.5% (18 of 68)
8 Eddie Lawson 24.4% (31 of 127)
9 Kevin Schwantz 24.0% (25 of 104)
10 Barry Sheene 19.4% (19 of 98)

Comment: Briefly Rossi was the only modern '.400 hitter' among modern riders, but since moving to Ducati, he has slumped. If he does not win in either of the next two races, he will fall behind Doohan in the percentage tables. Of the young lions, the next possible '.400 hitter' could be Stoner. A competitive bike could put Rossi back at the top quickly, but it's unlikely to happen this year and will be harder to achieve if he has another 0 for 18 season.

All Time Podium Appearance Percentage (1949 to Present)

1 Wayne Rainey 77.1% (64 of 83)
2 Giacomo Agostini 73.9% (88 of 119)
3 Mike Hailwood 73.8% (48 of 65)
4 John Surtees 70.6% (24 of 34)
5 Valentino Rossi 69.8% (139 of 199)
6 Mick Doohan 69.3% (95 of 137)
7 Kenny Roberts (Snr) 67.2% (39 of 58)
8 Jorge Lorenzo 66.2% (45 of 68)
9 Phil Read 64.2% (34 of 53)
10 Eddie Lawson 61.4% (78 of 127)

Comment: To be honest, in the '60s when Agostini, Hailwood, and Surtees ran up these stats, a bad day usually meant second or third. For Wayne Rainey there were always enough dangerous rivals on the track to make just getting on the podium difficult. The Yamaha was always competitive but never has the vast superiority that MV enjoyed. That makes the Californian’s record, to me, the most amazing of all.

Podium Appearance Percentage (“Modern Era” 1976 to Present)

1 Wayne Rainey 77.1% (64 of 83)
2 Valentino Rossi 69.8% (139 of 199)
3 Mick Doohan 69.3% (95 of 137)
4 Kenny Roberts (Snr) 67.2% (39 of 58)
5 Jorge Lorenzo 66.2% (45 of 68)
6 Eddie Lawson 61.4% (78 of 127)
7 Casey Stoner 59.4% (60 of 101)
8 Dani Pedrosa 57.6% (57 of 99)
9 Wayne Gardner 51.0% (52 of 102)
10 Freddie Spencer 50% (31 of 62)
Pat Hennen 50% (12 of 24)

Comment: If Rossi doesn’t start running up front frequently again, the Californian’s record will stand a long, long time. Lorenzo is like Rainey in many ways -- he knows when second or third is all the bike has in it, gets the points and moves on. Stoner, now that he is on Honda, could also threaten Rainey’s record as could Dani Pedrosa, but getting on the box in 77.1% of starts just might be a bridge too far for anyone nowadays.

Page 3 of 3

Prev

123

Next