| The best rider never to win a world title since 1980???
The best rider never to win a world championship since 1980 is....
Any thoughts?
I think my money would have to be on Randy Mamola, but I've only just come up the question, so I may change my mind.
Here are some other reminders/suggestions...
Most successful WSB non-winners
Nori Haga - 155 races, 50 podiums, 19 wins, runner-up 2000 (drugs test robbed him of title)
Frankie Chili - 260 races, 61 podiums, 17 wins, finished 4th twice.
Giancarlo Falappa - 106 races, 30 podiums, 16 wins
Aaron Slight - 229 races, 87 podiums, 13 wins, runner-up 1996, 98. Four times 4th and went 7 consecutive seasons in the top 4.
Regis Laconi - 87 races, 28 podiums, 11 wins
Stephane Mertens - 154 races, 45 podiums, 11 wins, runner-up 1989
Most successful GP500 non-winners
Randy Mamola - 151 GPs, 57 podiums, 13 wins, FOUR times runner up and 3rd twice.
Alex Barros - 258 GPs, 31 podiums, 7 wins, five times 4th.
Daryl Beattie - 59 GPs, 14 podiums, 3 wins, runner-up to Doohan in 1995.
Frankie Chili - 102 GPs, 11 podiums, 5 wins, 3rd place in 1992 250GP title.
Other noteables include...
James Whitham
Steve Hislop
Ian MacPherson - runner up in WSS 1999
Vittoriano Guareschi - twice runner up in WSS 1997 & 98
The majority of the other championship runners-up etc. have won world titles in other catergories.
[Edited on 26-1-2006 by domski]  |