Now as in the past, riders in the premier class often have a special nickname in addition to their starting number – we’ve picked out the most curious ones
From “The Doctor” to “Kentucky Kid”: MotoGP is not only the fastest motorcycle racing series in the world, but also a stage for big personalities and their often equally legendary nicknames.
There is more to many of these nicknames than just a casual remark from the pit lane: they tell stories about the origins, character, riding style, courage, or simply the particularly memorable idiosyncrasies of the stars on two wheels.
Some names were given to them by fans, others by teammates or the media. Some came about by chance, due to a detail on their helmet or a childhood anecdote.
Rossi has had several nicknames during his career
The most famous nickname is undoubtedly that of Valentino Rossi, who has turned “The Doctor” into a real brand over the years. But in fact, it’s not his only one. In his early years, the Italian gave himself the nickname “Rossifumi” in reference to his great idol Norifumi Abe. He later became “Il Dottore.”
But other riders have also become known for their nicknames. Why was Nicky Hayden called “Kentucky Kid”? What makes Enea Bastianini “The Beast,” and why did Garry McCoy drift his way into the history books as “Slide King”?
Each nickname provides a little insight into a rider’s personality and explains why they are more than just fast athletes to their fans.
Whether they have already retired from MotoGP or are still active: how they got their nicknames. If you can think of any other nicknames for current or former MotoGP riders, please feel free to leave a comment below this article.