MotoGP: 5 best MotoGP riders of all-time

#4 Mike Hailwood

Nicknamed 'Mike the Bike' for his burly frame and adeptness with two wheels, Mike Hailwood was a colossal rider who tasted immense success in the 1960s.

So versatile was Hailwood that he even embarked on a Formula One career just like his compatriot John Surtees. Hailwood's passion for bikes and racing came from his father - a participant of the motorcycle races in the pre-World War 2 era. In 1961, Hailwood etched his name in the history books by winning races across 3 categories ( 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes) in a single week at the world famous Isle of Man TT races.

In 1962, Hailwood signed up for Team MV Agusta and became the first rider to win 4 successive 500cc World Championships.

#4 (t) John Surtees

John Surtees - the only man to win both MotoGP and F1 World Championships

John Surtees shared a special bond with the iconic brand MV Agusta as he was the first champion from the team. So popular was the British rider that he was nicknamed 'iglio del Vento' (meaning son of the wind) by Italian fans.

Surtees was a serial winner across not just different categories of motorcycle racing but also different categories of motorsports itself. From 1956 onward, Surtees went on a winning spree bagging the 500cc Championship in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960 giving him a total of 4 Championships in the 500cc class. In the 350cc class, he emerged victorious in 1958, 1959 and 1960.

In 1960, he took a sabbatical from motorcycle racing and wanted to try his hand in Formula 1. Astonishingly in 1964, while as a member of Team Scuderia Ferrari, he won the Formula 1 World Championship. No man to this date has ever accomplished the double crown of winning both the MotoGP Championship and F1 Championship.It is unlikely that any man will possibly achieve this ever again.

#4 (t) Geoff Duke

British rider Geoff Duke was a member of the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team. The Team was part of the Armed Forces of Great Britain and were required to perform motorcycle stunts and acrobatic stunts for the public.

Racing for Team Gilera (now a wholly owned subsidiary of Italian automobile giant - Piaggio), Duke won consecutive World Championships - 2 in the 350cc class (1951 and 1952), 4 in the 500cc class ( 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1955). Duke also tasted remarkable success in the Isle of Man TT races. Including both Junior TT and Senior TT races.

Edited by Debjyoti Samanta