On February 15, 2023, MotoGP organizers formally introduced their plans to call racers Andrea Dovizioso and Hanz-Georg Anscheidt as MotoGP Legends later in 2023. Each of those riders will likely be inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame at separate ceremonies, with Dovi’s on the Mugello MotoGP spherical and Anscheidt’s on the Sachsenring MotoGP spherical.
“We’re very proud to induct Andrea and Hans-Georg into the MotoGP Hall of Fame. Two riders who achieved quite a bit, and two riders who had been emblematic of the eras wherein they competed. We’re very a lot wanting ahead to welcoming them again to the paddock to be named Legends,” Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta stated in a press release.
“Andrea was already a World Champion early in his career and years later was still thrilling us as a key part of some of the best battles in the modern era of MotoGP. It was a pleasure for us to watch him compete and take some of the closest MotoGP victories I can remember. He is undoubtedly a legend! Hans-Georg was hugely successful in the 50cc class and won three titles back-to-back, which is a special achievement few have managed. He has an important place in history and was a key figure of that second decade of Grand Prix competition, making us all proud to name him a MotoGP Legend today,” Ezpeleta added.
Dovizioso’s identify is well-known to trendy MotoGP followers, having risen by the ranks to take the 125cc World Championship title in 2004. From there, he was a podium contender within the 250cc class, after which the MotoGP class in 2008. As just lately as 2020, Dovi was nonetheless successful races on the high degree of the game.
Anscheidt hails from a special period, having made a reputation for himself in enduro and speedway within the Nineteen Fifties earlier than beginning circuit racing within the 50cc class in 1959. Through the Nineteen Sixties, Anscheidt actually started to shine within the 50cc class. From 1966 by 1968, he scooped up 50cc World Championship title after title.
“It is a great pleasure for me to become a MotoGP legend. I did not expect it, as the 50cc class came years after the other classes of the World Championship had started and is long gone. I am very happy, and I will do all I can to come to the Sachsenring together with my son,” Anscheidt stated in a press release.
“The 50cc class was very special for me as I was racing bigger offroad bikes before and had to learn to handle these tiny, wobbly beasts with their narrow power band and narrow two-inch tires that had no margin for error. When the 50 cc Moto Cup started in 1959, they had an average of 100 km/h. In 1960 it was already 110 km/h. In 1961 the top speed of our Kreidler in the European Championship was around 140 km/h, when I last raced at Spa in 1968, my Suzuki went up to 205 km/h. It was an amazing development in these early years,” he continued.
“I have not been in the paddock for a very long time., so I am very excited to see the World Championship again. I know from TV that the races are very close!” Anscheidt concluded.
“I’m looking forward to coming back to the paddock to visit, and to be inducted at the Italian Grand Prix makes it really special. I’m surprised and very happy, happy to become a MotoGP Legend. So, thank you very much!” Dovizioso stated, upon listening to the information.
Source: www.rideapart.com