Top Ten World Rankings0

Now that we are in the midst of the “Dark Ages” for motorcycle enthusiasts, and all racing and testing has come to end, it is the perfect time to release the quarterly top ten rankings. The top ten refers to the top ten riders, currently participating in a World Championship. Basically they are the ten best riders in the world at the moment. Criteria is based upon the number of championships won and the level of competition that was presented.

Top Ten Riders In The World

#1. Valentino Rossi:

Arguably the greatest rider of all time, Valentino has continuously faced ever-increasing competition on ever-evolving motorcycles and has ultimately added his ninth World Title to his repertoire.

#2. Casey Stoner:

After a dominating performance in 2007 that culminated in the first World Title for the fiery young Australian, many people attributed  Casey’s speed to the powerful Ducati. After strong but disappointing seasons due to a fractured scaphoid in 2008 and an unknown ailment in 2009, a healthy Casey stormed back onto the scene winning two of the last four races in a very convincing fashion. His outright speed and innate ability to tame the Ducati beast makes him a strong threat for the 2010 title.

#3. Jorge Lorenzo:

The cool as ice Spaniard took the world by storm in 2009 giving Rossi a whole lot to worry about as Lorenzo successfully presented a head to head challenge with Rossi, both on and off the track. With two 250cc World Championships and five premiere class victories after only his second season, there is no doubt that Lorenzo will be giving Rossi more sleepless nights as the 2010 title chase commences.

#4. Dani Pedrosa:

The three time World Champion has arguably struggled a bit in the premier class since his entry in 2006, but there is no doubt that his alien blood runs deep. Many critics say that he is too small and fragile to ever be able to take home a world title, but it is no secret that Honda’s 800cc has struggled against the Yamaha and the Ducati. Nonetheless, Pedrosa’s flashes of brilliance at Laguna Seca and Valencia prove that the tiny Spaniard has no intention of throwing in the towel on his quest for a World Championship.

#5. Colin Edwards:

The outspoken and ever consistent Edwards has proved that age is nothing but a number as he continues to outshine not only every other satellite rider on the grid, but top factory prospects like Loris Capirossi and Andrea Dovisioso. His consistency, two World Superbike Championships, and most recently, his Donington podium leave the Texan at number five on the list.

#6. Ben Spies:

The young Texan took the world by storm in 2009 putting the U.S. back on the map as he waltzed into the World Superbike paddock and quite frankly put everyone to shame as he blitzed his way through the record books and won the World Superbike title in his rookie season. A very impressive wildcard MotoGP ride at Valencia and an even more impressive end of the season test that left him fourth fastest on the time sheets, prove that “Elbowz” may just have some alien blood of his own.

#7. Max Biaggi:

The Roman Emperor breathed some life back into his career as he and the new and awesome Aprilia had the World Superbike paddock looking on in envy as they tried to figure out if the Aprilia was really a Superbike or a cleverly disguised MotoGP bike. A four-time 250cc World Champion and old adversary to Valentino Rossi, Biaggi’s race win and nine podiums will assure fans as well as rivals that his eyes will be on the 2010 World Superbike title.

#8. Andrea Dovisioso:

Following his impressive 2008 season on the satellite Honda, big things were expected of the young Italian as he made his way into the factory Repsol team for 2009. One wet/dry race victory at Donington was his only podium of the entire season, but the former 125cc World Champion has been highly critical of his factory machine that has troubled former World Champion Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa, all sighting corner entry and traction issues. Nonetheless, 2010 will be a make or break year for Dovi as a slew of talented rookies make their way onto the scene.

#9. Nicky Hayden:

In 2006, Hayden beat Rossi to the last 990cc World Title. Many critics have said that Rossi gave the title to Nicky because of his horrible bike and his span of bad luck, but last time I checked, World Titles are won, not handed out. Many people thought that the Ducati would be the death of Nicky and early during the 2009 season it appeared that, that may be the case. But, some good ol’ fashion hard work and a never-say-die attitude saw steady improvements for Nicky and his Ducati that culminated into a podium at his home round at Indianapolis.

#10. Noriyuki Haga:

A very controversial choice for the final spot in the rankings, Haga has proved that age doesn’t matter as he continuously takes it to the young competitors who threaten to keep him from ever laying a hand on that World Title. In 2009, some strong performances along with some bad luck for Spies, took the title chase to the final round where Haga essentially beat himself. After a career marred with crashes and horrific injuries, surely 2010 will be the final chance for Haga to finally lift the laurels…