With his typical open and entertaining manner, Randy Mamola recounts funny anecdotes from his 500cc career – watch the full video here!
Randy Mamola is one of the most colorful personalities the World Motorcycle Championship has ever produced. In a new, entertaining video interview, the American talks with a mixture of self-irony, passion, and surprising depth about his career, life in the paddock, and what it means to become a legend even without a world championship title.
Mamola was four times runner-up in the 500cc class, stood on the podium a total of 57 times and rode for manufacturers such as Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Cagiva. He reflects openly on the fact that, despite all this, he never achieved the big triumph.
“I gave it my all. Sometimes it was my fault, sometimes it was others’ – but I wouldn’t change a thing.” The year 1984 was particularly bitter for him, when he missed the first two races due to Suzuki’s withdrawal, but still finished second in the overall standings.
The interview was conducted at Le Mans – a place where Mamola had already competed against greats such as Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts 46 years earlier. “I was Kenny’s protégé,” Mamola recounts, “and yet he became my biggest rival.”
With his typical openness, Mamola also shares the bizarre side of MotoGP life. He recounts a scene from the 1980s when he showed up in the pit lane stark naked, wearing only a coat, to trick his buddy Eddie Lawson.
“We still laugh about it today,” he says – and you believe him immediately. Because humor is an essential part of his character: “Even back then, I was more of an entertainer than a rider – many people say that today, and maybe they’re right.”
Mamola also talks about bizarre rituals. Valentino Rossi’s behavior before the start was particularly memorable: “He touched his ears, his knees, tugged at his underwear – and always held on tight to the footrest. I did that later too, just so I wouldn’t crash!”
If Mamola were still a rider today, he would be the one throwing his gloves into the crowd after the race. Or the one grabbing the microphone at MotoGP karaoke to sing Eminem or Sinatra. “I love entertaining people. That’s why I still have so many fans today.”
A life dedicated to the sport, a heart for the fans, and a smile that’s contagious: this interview with Randy Mamola is more than just a look back. It’s a reminder of why we love racing.
