MotoGP, record number of wins in a season: the leader is…

While MotoGP is enjoying a well-deserved winter break after one of the most intense seasons in history, following the introduction of the double-race format with the Sprint and long race, it’s time to consider the overall performance of world champion, Pecco Bagnaia. The Ducati rider reached the top step of the rostrum seven times throughout the season, matching his personal best in the top class, achieved in 2022. By winning the final race at Valencia, Bagnaia was able to repeat the more than positive trend of the previous year, confirming his status as the most successful rider over the last three years (with 19 wins in 58 races). But the all-time record holder for the number of wins in a single season is Marc Marquez, who scored thirteen victories in 2014.

Bagnaia with seven wins in a season, as in 2022. It hadn’t happened since 2019

Not since 2018-2019 had a rider won at least seven races over two consecutive seasons. The last to achieve this was Marquez, with nine victories in 2018 and twelve in 2019. In 2020, although the world title went to Joan Mir, the record men in terms of wins were Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo, both with three, while in 2021 the honour went to Quartararo, with five wins. In 2024 Bagnaia will attempt to enter the small club of riders who have reached double figures during a single championship, a feat that, to date, only Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez and Casey Stoner have achieved in MotoGP (so since 2002).

Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi and Mick Doohan behind Marc Marquez

As we’ve said, the all-time record in this regard belongs to Marc Marquez, who stood on the top step of the podium on thirteen occasions during 2014, before coming close to this impressive figure once again in 2019, amassing 12 victories. In 2014 the Spaniard beat a record previously held by Mick Doohan, who won 12 out of 15 races in 1997 and therefore takes the runner-up spot on the all-time list. In third place, tied on eleven race wins, are Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini; the nine-time champ amassed this total in 2001, 2002 and 2005, while "Ago" did it in 1972. But in the case of the MV Agusta legend, it’s important to point out one incredible statistic. Despite the difficulties involved in comparing different eras, particularly due to the fact that today’s calendar features double the number of races held in the 70s and 80s, it is nevertheless of note that, for three consecutive years, from 1968 to 1970, Agostini won all ten races on the championship calendar!