Winning the MotoGP™ World Championship as an Independent rider is a rare and hard-earned achievement. Only six riders in history have done it, and in 2024, Jorge Martin became the latest to join the exclusive list. Riding for Prima Pramac Racing on a Ducati, Martin made history as the first rider in the MotoGP™ era to win the title without being part of a full factory team, and the first since Valentino Rossi. Here’s a look at the trailblazers who defied the odds and showed that, sometimes, the underdog can reign supreme.

The Pioneers: Roberts, Lucchinelli, and Uncini

The first rider to defy factory dominance was Kenny Roberts. In 1978, Roberts claimed the 500cc World Championship riding for Yamaha USA, an Independent Team. His four wins dethroned Barry Sheene, proving an Independent Team could win it all. 

Just a few years later, Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini followed suit with Suzukis run out of Italy. Lucchinelli won in 1981, and Uncini took the title in 1982, both riding factory-spec bikes under independent setups. Their victories cemented the idea that Independent Teams could stand toe-to-toe with the factory teams.

Eddie Lawson and Valentino Rossi: The Next Level

Fast forward to 1989, Eddie Lawson won the MotoGP™ title with an Independent Honda Team, narrowly beating Wayne Rainey. But it was Valentino Rossi who took it to the next level in 2001. Rossi, riding a factory-spec Nastro Azzurro Honda, dominated with 11 wins and beat Max Biaggi by 106 points, proving that even in a satellite team, Championship glory was within reach.

The Nearly Men: Gibernau, Melandri, Quartararo, and Morbidelli

Throughout the 2000s, riders like Sete Gibernau (2003) and Marco Melandri (2005) came close to breaking through but fell short against Rossi’s dominance. Then, in 2020, Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo both mounted serious challenges for the title, racing for Yamaha’s Petronas SRT team, but fell short against the incredibly consistent Joan Mir. Their close calls reignited hope that Independent Teams could still be contenders for the MotoGP™ World Championship.

Jorge Martin: The Latest Independent Champion

And then came Jorge Martin. The Spaniard enjoyed a breakout rookie campaign before establishing himself further in the class in 2022. The following year saw him launch a bid for the title, picking up four wins but falling short on the final day against Francesco Bagnaia and the factory Ducati team.

One year later though, history would not escape the #89. Once again overlooked for a seat with the factory squad, Martin turned the tables and snatched the #1 plate from Ducati’s grasp. With three race wins, 12 further podiums, and seven Tissot Sprint victories, Martin's consistency and firepower were unstoppable. He clinched his first MotoGP™ World Championship, becoming the first Independent rider in the MotoGP™ era—and the first since Valentino Rossi—to take the title with Prima Pramac Racing, and forever etch their names into history.

Now the new World Champion is set for a different adventure. He joins Aprilia Racing in 2025, and bids to once again emulate Rossi, and the likes of Eddie Lawson as Champions to defend their title with a different bike.