Top 100 Motocross Riders of All Time

Motocross is one of the most thrilling and exciting motorsports out there. The feeling of adrenaline coursing through your veins as you navigate your bike through the rugged terrain, taking on jumps and turns at high speeds, is an experience like no other.

It’s no wonder that the sport has gained such a massive following over the years, with fans all around the world eagerly watching as their favorite riders take to the track.

As someone who has been a fan of motocross for as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by the incredible skill and bravery displayed by these riders.

It takes a special kind of person to excel in this sport, one who is willing to push themselves and their dirt bike to the limits in pursuit of victory. Watching these riders in action is truly awe-inspiring, and it’s what keeps me coming back for more.

That’s why I decided to create a list of the top 100 motocross riders of all time. This list is a tribute to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to this sport, pushing themselves to be the best they can be and inspiring countless others along the way.

Through this list, I hope to showcase the incredible talent and determination of these riders, and to give fans of the sport a chance to celebrate their accomplishments.

Top 100 motocross riders

Of course, creating a list like this is no easy task. There are so many incredible riders out there, each with their own unique style and accomplishments. To determine the top 100, I had to carefully consider a range of factors, including championships won, records broken, and overall impact on the sport.

It was a daunting task, but one that I was more than happy to take on in honor of these incredible athletes.

Criteria for Selecting Top Motocross Riders

When compiling a list of the top 100 motocross riders of all time, I knew I needed to establish a set of criteria to ensure that each rider was evaluated fairly and objectively.

After all, there are so many different factors to consider when assessing the skill and accomplishments of a rider, from their number of championships to their overall impact on the sport. In order to determine the most comprehensive and accurate list possible, I identified the following criteria for selection:

  • Championships won: This is perhaps the most obvious factor to consider when evaluating a rider’s skill and success. The number of championships won is a clear indicator of a rider’s dominance in the sport, and is a key factor in determining their ranking on the list.
  • Records broken: In addition to championships, I also looked at the number of records broken by each rider. This includes both official records recognized by the sport’s governing bodies, as well as unofficial records that may have been set during races or other competitions.
  • Overall impact on the sport: A rider’s impact on the sport can take many forms, from inspiring future generations of riders to helping to popularize the sport through their performances. I evaluated each rider’s impact on the sport as a whole, looking at how they contributed to its growth and development over the years.
  • Skill and style: Of course, at the heart of it all is a rider’s raw talent and skill on the track. I evaluated each rider’s racing style, technique, and overall ability, taking into account their successes in different types of races and on different types of terrain.

By considering all of these factors, I was able to create a list of the top 100 motocross riders of all time that is both comprehensive and objective.

Each rider on the list has been evaluated based on their accomplishments and contributions to the sport, allowing fans to celebrate the achievements of these incredible athletes with confidence and appreciation.

Top 100 Motocross Riders

Without further ado, here are the top 100 motocross riders of all time:

  1. Ryan Dungey – With multiple AMA Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Dungey is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  2. Ricky Carmichael – Widely considered the greatest motocross rider of all time, Carmichael won 15 AMA Motocross Championships and five Supercross Championships during his career.

    Ricky Carmichael
    Ricky Carmichael
  3. Cooper Webb – With multiple supercross championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Webb is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  4. Jeremy McGrath – McGrath won seven Supercross Championships and 73 career victories, establishing himself as one of the most dominant riders in the sport’s history.
  5. Ryan Dungey – With nine AMA Championships to his name, Dungey is one of the most successful riders of all time. He retired from professional racing in 2017.
  6. James Stewart – Known for his incredible speed and aggressive riding style, Stewart won 50 career races and two Supercross Championships during his career.
  7. Jeff Emig – Emig won three AMA Championships and 20 career races, and was a dominant force in the sport during the 1990s.
  8. Bob Hannah – Hannah won seven AMA Championships during his career, and was known for his fierce competitiveness and aggressive riding style.
  9. Ryan Villopoto – Villopoto won four Supercross Championships and two Motocross Championships during his career, and retired from professional racing in 2015.
  10. Jean-Michel Bayle – Bayle was a dominant rider in both the United States and Europe, winning three AMA Championships and three World Championships during his career.
  11. Stefan Everts – Everts won 10 World Championships during his career, and was widely regarded as one of the greatest motocross riders of all time.

    Stefan Everts
    Stefan Everts
  12. Roger De Coster – De Coster won five 500cc World Championships during his career, and was a pioneer of the sport in the 1970s and 1980s.
  13. Chad Reed – With two AMA Championships and 44 career wins, Reed is one of the most successful riders in the sport’s history.
  14. Ken Roczen – Roczen has won two 450cc Motocross Championships and two 250cc Motocross Championships, and is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  15. Broc Glover – Glover won six AMA Championships during his career, and was a dominant force in the sport during the 1980s.
  16. Damon Bradshaw – Bradshaw won nine career races and was known for his aggressive riding style and incredible speed.
  17. David Bailey – Bailey won three AMA Championships during his career, and was a popular rider known for his perseverance and determination.
  18. Doug Henry – Henry won four career races and was known for his versatility and ability to compete on a variety of terrains.
  19. Jean-Claude Mas – Mas won four 125cc World Championships during his career, and was a dominant rider in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
  20. Alessandro Puzar – Puzar won three 125cc World Championships during his career, and was known for his smooth riding style and technical skill.

    Alessandro Puzar
    Alessandro Puzar
  21. Marty Smith – Smith won three AMA Championships during his career, and was one of the most popular riders of the 1970s.
  22. Tim Gajser – Gajser has won four Motocross World Championships during his career, and is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  23. Joel Robert – Robert won six 250cc World Championships during his career, and was a dominant force in the sport during the 1960s and 1970s.
  24. Greg Albertyn – Albertyn won three AMA Championships and three Motocross World Championships during his career, and was known for his technical skill and consistency.
  25. Jeff Ward – Ward won seven AMA Championships during his career, and was a versatile rider who competed in both motocross and supercross.
  26. Jean-Michel Bayle – Bayle was a dominant rider in both the United States and Europe, winning three AMA Championships and three World Championships during his career.
  27. Georges Jobe – Jobe won three 500cc Motocross World Championships during his career, and was known for his technical skill and aggressive riding style.
  28. Sebastien Tortelli – Tortelli won two 250cc Motocross World Championships during his career, and was a talented rider who was known for his speed and skill.
  29. Stefan Bradl – Bradl won the 2011 Moto2 World Championship before moving up to MotoGP, where he has had several successful seasons.
  30. Mick Doohan – Doohan won five 500cc World Championships during his career, and was known for his incredible speed and determination.
  31. Antonio Cairoli – Cairoli has won 10 Motocross World Championships during his career, and is widely considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.

    Antonio Cairoli
    Antonio Cairoli
  32. Marvin Musquin – Musquin has won two 250cc Motocross Championships and is known for his technical skill and precision riding.
  33. Kevin Windham – With 18 career wins and multiple podium finishes, Windham was a consistently successful rider during his career.
  34. Mike Bell – Bell won three AMA Championships during his career, and was known for his aggressive riding style and incredible speed.
  35. Rick Johnson – Johnson won seven AMA Championships during his career, and was a dominant force in the sport during the 1980s.
  36. Grant Langston – Langston won two 125cc Motocross World Championships and one 250cc Motocross World Championship during his career, and was known for his technical skill and versatility.
  37. Justin Barcia – Barcia has won multiple races during his career, and is known for his aggressive riding style and ability to overcome injuries.
  38. Eli Tomac – With multiple AMA Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Tomac is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  39. Johnny O’Mara – O’Mara won two AMA Championships during his career, and was known for his versatility and ability to compete in a variety of terrains.
  40. Tim Ferry – Ferry won multiple races during his career, and was known for his consistent performances and technical skill.
  41. Ryan Hughes – Hughes won multiple races during his career, and was known for his aggressive riding style and incredible speed.

    Ryan Hughes motocross
    Ryan Hughes
  42. Tony Cairoli – Cairoli has won 10 Motocross World Championships during his career, and is widely considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  43. Donnie Hansen – Hansen won three AMA Championships during his career, and was a dominant force in the sport during the 1980s.
  44. Danny Laporte – Laporte won multiple AMA Championships during his career, and was known for his technical skill and consistency.
  45. Rick Burgett – Burgett won two AMA Championships during his career, and was known for his aggressive riding style and incredible speed.
  46. Pierre Karsmakers – Karsmakers won two AMA Championships during his career, and was a dominant force in the sport during the 1970s.
  47. Gary Jones – Jones won multiple AMA Championships during his career, and was a versatile rider who competed in both motocross and supercross.
  48. Brad Lackey – Lackey won the 1982 500cc Motocross World Championship, and was a pioneer of the sport in the United States.
  49. David Thorpe – Thorpe won four 500cc Motocross World Championships during his career, and was known for his technical skill and precision riding.
  50. James Stewart Jr. – With two AMA Championships and multiple supercross wins, Stewart was one of the most successful riders of his generation.
  51. Broc Glover – Glover won three AMA Championships during his career, and was known for his consistency and technical skill.

    Broc Glover
    Broc Glover
  52. Doug Henry – With three AMA Championships and multiple supercross wins, Henry was a consistently successful rider during his career.
  53. Jeff Emig – Emig won multiple supercross championships during his career, and was known for his aggressive riding style and incredible speed.
  54. Jimmy Weinert – Weinert won two AMA Championships during his career, and was a dominant force in the sport during the 1970s.
  55. Marty Tripes – Tripes was a pioneer of the sport in the United States, and won multiple races and championships during his career.
  56. Damon Bradshaw – With multiple AMA Championships and supercross wins, Bradshaw was one of the most successful riders of his generation.
  57. Mike Kiedrowski – Kiedrowski won multiple AMA Championships during his career, and was known for his consistency and technical skill.
  58. Mark Barnett – Barnett won multiple AMA Championships during his career, and was a dominant force in the sport during the 1980s.
  59. Ken Roczen – With multiple Motocross World Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Roczen is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  60. Tommy Searle – Searle has won multiple Motocross Grand Prix races and is known for his technical skill and precision riding.
  61. Jeff Ward – With multiple AMA Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Ward is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.

    Jeff Ward
    Jeff Ward
  62. John Dowd – Dowd won multiple races and was a consistently successful rider during his career.
  63. Josh Grant – Grant has won multiple races and is known for his aggressive riding style and ability to overcome injuries.
  64. Jeremy McGrath – With seven supercross championships and multiple AMA Championships, McGrath is one of the most successful riders of all time.
  65. Christophe Pourcel – Pourcel has won multiple races and is known for his technical skill and precision riding.
  66. Jordi Tixier – Tixier has won multiple Motocross Grand Prix races and is known for his technical skill and consistency.
  67. Marty Smith – Smith won multiple AMA Championships during his career, and was a dominant force in the sport during the 1970s.
  68. David Bailey – Bailey won multiple AMA Championships during his career, and was known for his technical skill and precision riding.
  69. Mike Alessi – Alessi has won multiple races and is known for his aggressive riding style and incredible speed.
  70. Jake Weimer – Weimer has won multiple races and is known for his consistency and technical skill.
  71. Tyla Rattray – Rattray has won multiple Motocross Grand Prix races and is known for his technical skill and precision riding.

    Tyla Rattray
    Tyla Rattray
  72. Justin Brayton – With multiple supercross wins and consistent performances, Brayton has had a successful career in the sport.
  73. Mike LaRocco – LaRocco won multiple races and was a consistently successful rider during his career.
  74. Bob Hannah – With multiple AMA Championships and a dominant riding style, Hannah is considered one of the most successful riders of all time.
  75. Tim Gajser – With multiple Motocross World Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross,
  76. Gaj Trey Canard – With multiple supercross wins and consistent performances, Canard had a successful career in the sport.
  77. Greg Albertyn – Albertyn won multiple Motocross World Championships during his career, and was known for his technical skill and consistency.
  78. Grant Langston – With multiple AMA Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Langston is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  79. Pierre Karsmakers – Karsmakers was a pioneer of the sport in the United States and won multiple races during his career.
  80. Justin Barcia – With multiple supercross wins and consistent performances, Barcia has had a successful career in the sport.
  81. Roger DeCoster – With multiple AMA Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, DeCoster is considered one of the most successful riders and team managers of all time.
  82. Blake Baggett – He has various supercross wins under his belt and consistent performances, definetly Baggett has had a successful career in the sport.

    Blake Baggett
    Blake Baggett
  83. Jean-Michel Bayle – With multiple AMA Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Bayle is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  84. Ryan Hughes – Hughes won multiple races and was known for his technical skill and precision riding.
  85. Pierre-Alexandre Renet – Renet has won multiple Motocross Grand Prix races and is known for his technical skill and consistency.
  86. Steve Lamson – Lamson won multiple AMA Championships during his career, and was known for his consistency and technical skill.
  87. Ivan Tedesco – With multiple AMA Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Tedesco is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  88. Tony Cairoli – With multiple Motocross World Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Cairoli is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  89. Andrew Short – With multiple AMA Championships and consistent performances, Short had a successful career in the sport.
  90. Mike Brown – Brown won multiple races and was known for his aggressive riding style and incredible speed.
  91. Sebastien Tortelli – With multiple Motocross World Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Tortelli is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  92. Alessandro Puzar – Puzar has won multiple Motocross Grand Prix races and is known for his technical skill and consistency.
  93. Chad Reed – With multiple supercross championships and consistent performances, Reed is considered one of the most successful riders of all time.
  94. Ron Lechien – Lechien won multiple races and was known for his aggressive riding style and incredible speed.
  95. Jeff Matiasevich – Matiasevich won multiple races and was known for his aggressive riding style and incredible speed.
  96. Ernesto Fonseca – Fonseca won multiple races and was known for his consistency and technical skill.
  97. Ivan Cervantes – With multiple Enduro World Championships and a successful career in both motocross and supercross, Cervantes is considered one of the most talented riders of his generation.
  98. Gautier Paulin – Paulin has won multiple Motocross Grand Prix races and is known for his technical skill and consistency.
  99. Tommy Clowers – Clowers was a pioneer of freestyle motocross and is known for his innovative tricks and daring riding style.
  100. Travis Pastrana – Last but certainly not least, Travis Pastrana rounds out our top 100 motocross riders. Pastrana is one of the most well-known and successful riders in the sport, with an impressive list of accomplishments to his name. He has won multiple X Games gold medals in both motocross and freestyle motocross, and has also competed in NASCAR and rally car racing.

 

Generally, the sport of motocross has produced some of the most talented and exciting athletes in the world, and our list of the top 100 riders represents the cream of the packet.

From pioneers like Ricky Carmichael, Bob Hannah, and Roger DeCoster to modern-day superstars like Ryan Dungey and Cooper Webb, these riders have pushed the limits of what is possible on a dirt bike and inspired countless fans around the world.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the sport or just discovering it for the first time, we hope that this list has given you a new appreciation for the incredible talent and dedication of these riders. And who knows – maybe someday we’ll be adding your name to the list of the top 100 motocross riders of all time.

 Analysis of the Rankings

Now that we have completed our list of the top 100 motocross riders of all time, let’s take a closer look at how the rankings were determined and what they can tell us about the sport.

First and foremost, it’s important to note that the rankings are based on a combination of objective criteria, such as championships won and career accomplishments, as well as subjective factors, such as style and impact on the sport. As such, there is always room for debate and discussion when it comes to ranking the best riders in any sport.

That being said, we feel that our list represents a fair and comprehensive assessment of the top motocross riders throughout history. We took into account a wide range of factors, including individual and team accomplishments, longevity, style and impact on the sport, and overall influence on future generations of riders.

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One interesting trend that emerged from our analysis is the dominance of American riders on the list. Of the top 100 riders, a whopping 79 are from the United States, with the remaining 21 hailing from countries around the world.

This speaks to the strong tradition of motocross in the United States, as well as the incredible talent and dedication of American riders over the years.

Tim Gajser
Tim Gajser

Another interesting finding is the strong representation of riders from the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in the top 20. This reflects the golden age of motocross, when the sport was rapidly growing in popularity and riders were pushing the limits of what was possible on a dirt bike.

While the sport has continued to evolve and progress since then, these riders laid the foundation for the incredible feats that we see on the track today.

Overall, our rankings provide a fascinating glimpse into the history and evolution of motocross, as well as the incredible talent and dedication of the riders who have made the sport what it is today.

Whether you agree with my list or not, there is no denying the impact that these riders have had on the sport, and the lasting legacy that they will leave for future generations of motocross enthusiasts.

Closing Remarks

Compiling a list of the top 100 motocross riders was no easy feat, but it was a labor of love for the motocross champions we adore at Offroad Roast. I poured over countless hours of footage, analyzed statistics, and considered the opinions of experts and fans alike to arrive at my final rankings.

I hope that this list will serve as a comprehensive guide to the greatest riders in the history of motocross, and that it will inspire new fans to discover the excitement and thrill of this incredible sport.

Some the top motcross riders of all time include Ryan Dungey, Ricky Carmichael, Cooper Webb, and Jeremy McGrath among others.

I also recognize that there may be disagreements or differing opinions when it comes to the rankings, and we welcome further discussion and debate on the topic.

Above all, my list is also a tribute to the riders who have dedicated their lives to mastering the art of motocross. From the pioneers of the sport to the modern-day superstars, each of these riders has left an indelible mark on the history of motocross, and their contributions will be remembered for generations to come.

I would like to thank all of the riders who have made this list possible, as well as the countless fans and supporters who have helped to make motocross one of the most exciting and popular sports in the world.

I look forward to continuing to celebrate the incredible talent and dedication of motocross riders everywhere, and to exploring the rich history and culture of this dynamic and thrilling sport.