Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the Premier Championship of motorcycle racing. It is divided into three classes. MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3. Since 2012, the engine capacity of the bikes was increased from 800cc to 1000ccc meaning these monster bikes reach speeds of up to 350km/h.
The 2017 MotoGP season will begin in March in Doha, Qatar for the Qatar Grand Prix. Riders also travel to America, Italy, Czech Republic, England and Japan amongst others before finishing the season in Spain for the Valencian Community Grand Prix.
The record for most titles won by a MotoGP racer is held by Italian Giacamo Agostini, who won 15 MotoGP titles between 1966-75. He won eight titles in the 500cc category and seven in the 350cc category. In his career lasting 13 successful years, he raced 186 times, winning 122 and tallying a combined total of 1493 points.
Since its inception in 1949, Italian drivers have won the most World Championships, winning 75, and the United Kingdom behind them with 44. Australia is sixth in the combined rankings winning a total of 11 World Championships. One of the most famous Australian riders was Mick Doohan who won five MotoGP Championships in 1994-98.
2017 will see Spaniard Marc Marquez attempt to defend his title – which he took out ahead of the likes of famous Italian Valentino Rossi and compatriot Jorge Lorenzo.
