Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Number, Rider, Country, Machine, Team
3, Max Biaggi, Italy, Honda RC211V, Pramac Honda Pons

4, Alex Barros, Brazil, Yamaha YZR-M1, Fortuna Yamaha

6, Makoto Tamada, Japan, Honda RC211V, Pramac Honda Pons

7, Carlos Checa, Spain, Yamaha YZR-M1, Gauloises Yamaha Team

9, Nobuatso Aoki, Japan, Proton KR5, Proton Team KR

10, Kenny Roberts, USA, Suzuki GSV-R, Suzuki Grand Prix Team

11, Ruben Xaus, Spain, Ducati, D’Antin MotoGP

12, Troy Bayliss, Australia, Ducati, Ducati Marlboro Team

15, Sete Gibernau, Spain, Honda RC211V, Telefonica Movistar Honda

21, John Hopkins, USA, Suzuki GSV-R, Suzuki Grand Prix Team

33, Marco Melandri, Italy, Yamaha YZR-M1, Fortuna Yamaha Team

45, Colin Edwards, USA, Honda RC211V, Telefonica Movistar Honda

46, Valentino Rossi, Italy, Yamaha YZF-M1, Gauloises Yamaha Team

56, Shinya Nakano, Japan, Kawasaki ZX-RR, Kawasaki Racing Team

65, Loris Capirossi, Italy, Ducati, Ducati Marlboro Team

66, Alex Hofmann, Germany, Kawasaki ZX-RR, Kawasaki Racing Team

67, Shane Byrne, Great Britain, Aprilia RS3, Aprilia Racing

69, Nicky Hayden, USA, Honda RC211V, Repsol Honda

80, Kurtis Roberts, USA, Proton KR5, Proton Team KR

99, Jeremy McWilliams, Great Britain, Aprilia, Aprilia Racing

TBA, Neil Hodgson, Great Britain, Ducati, D’Antin MotoGP

TBA, Honda, Repsol Honda

TBA, Harris WCM, WCM

TBA, Harris WCM, WCM



And now, some reader reaction:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

There are indeed, as you pointed out, five Americans riding MotoGP next year. I did the math and discovered that America is represented in MotoGP more than any other nation! The next-closest country is Italy with four riders. Spain, Great Britain and Japan each have three riders and Germany and Australia have only one rider each.

The story used to be that there’s few Americans in MotoGP because the series sponsors are mostly European companies and the sponsors like their own home-boys doing the work. Another reason I have read is that many of the MotoGP riders have their own sponsorships that allow them to “buy” their way onto a team.

I don’t know how so many Americans landed in MotoGP, but it sure is great!

Forget the sugarplums, I have visions of all-American podiums in MotoGP, dancing in my head!

Andy Schwarm
Monrovia, California