Ranking the 20 most famous motocross riders in the world

Ranking the 20 most famous motocross riders in the world

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:19 PM

Off-road motorcycle racing, known as motocross, takes place on enclosed off-road tracks. One of the riskiest international sports is motocross, where most of the most famous motocross riders risk their lives every time they get on a bike.

Who is the most famous motocross rider?
Ranking the 20 most famous motocross riders in the world. Photo: Artur Didyk (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Consequently, some of the famous motocross racers retire young from the sport due to injuries that prevent them from riding at champion speeds but not before winning several world championships or being honoured with induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Who is the most famous motocross rider?

Motocross is one of the riskiest international sports in the world, with racers putting their futures on the line every time they jump on a bike. According to the recent data analysis, here is a compiled list of some famous motocross riders who have died presenting their counties.

20. Brian Deegan

famous motocross riders as of 2022
Games Austin athlete Brian Deegan attends the X Games Austin Kick-Off Press Conference at the Velocity Lounge at COTA on 3 June 2015 in Austin, Texas. Photo: Rick Kern
Source: Getty Images

The term "ghost riding," as it is known in freestyle motocross, was invented by Brian Deegan. Deegan's ghost created history in 1997 in the Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, when he completed the race on his bicycle. He has reportedly won the most awards in freestyle motocross and is the only competitor to have taken part in every event since the X Games' inception in 1995.

Full name

Brian Deegan

Date of birth

9 May 1974

Place of birth

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Nationality

American

Zodiac sign

Taurus

Profession

Professional freestyle motocross rider, racing driver

Net worth

$15 million

19. Georges Jobe

famous motocross riders that have died
Belgian moto-cross pilot Georges Jobe on 8 January 2008 in a special wheelchair in his room of the Esneux CHU hospital. Photo: Michel Kakowaski
Source: Getty Images

Georges Jobé is renowned for overcoming the Hawkstone double, a significant jump that most athletes would choose to bike past instead of jumping over. Although he wasn't the first racer to tackle the mounds, he was undoubtedly among the most successful. Jobé, a two-time reigning World Champion, never lost hope in his ability to be successful. He died in 2012.

Full name

George Jobé

Date of birth

6 January 1961

Date of death

19 December 2012

Nationality

Belgian

Zodiac sign

Leo

Profession

Professional motocross racer

Spouse

Sabrina

18. Torsten Hallman

great motocross riders
Torsten Hallman of Sweden on a Husqvarna in international Moto-Cross Grand Prix at Dodington Park, Gloucestershire. Photo: PA Images
Source: Getty Images

In 2000, Torsten Hallman was honoured with induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He helped make motocross popular in the US when he arrived in the late 1960s as a four-time World Motocross Champion.

Hallman, who was greatly influenced by the design and functionality of riding equipment, was responsible for motocross's expansion in the United States. He became well-known because of a race that took place in the vicinity of Simi Valley, California, in the year 1966.

Newspapers reported,

No one had ever thought it was possible to go that fast on a motorbike.

Full name

Torsten Hallman

Date of birth

17 October 1939

Place of birth

Sweden

Nationality

Swedish

Zodiac sign

Virgo

Profession

Professional motocross racer

Net worth

$1 million to $5 million

17. Jean-Michel Bayle

best motocross riders
Jean-Michel Bayle of France crashes out during the British Motorcycle Grand Prix at Donington Park in England. Photo: Mike Cooper
Source: Getty Images

Induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame for Heikki Mikkola took place in 2006. He goes by the nickname "Flyin' Finn." Mikkola has four victories in the World Grand Prix Motocross Championship.

Despite a fractured wrist, he won the Finnish Junior Enduro Championship in 1996. He then went on to triumph in international competitions, earning a reputation as one of Finland's most successful motorcycle racers.

Full name

Jean-Michel Bayle

Date of birth

1 April 1969

Place of birth

Manosque, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France

Nationality

French

Zodiac sign

Aries

Profession

Motorcycle racer

Net worth

$1 million to $5 million

16. Heikki Mikkola

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame accepted Heikki Mikkola as a member in 2006. The moniker "Flyin' Finn" is given to him. Mikkola has won the World Grand Prix Motocross Championship four times.

He was competing with a broken wrist when he won the Finnish Junior Enduro Championship in 1996. Still, he went on to win several international events and earned a reputation as one of the best motorcycle racers from Finland.

Full name

Heikki Mikkola

Date of birth

6 July 1945

Place of birth

Mikkeli, Finland

Nationality

Finnish

Zodiac sign

Cancer

Profession

professional motocross racer

Net worth

$5 million

15. Ken Roczen

Who is the most famous motocross rider?
Ken Roczen smiles at the crowd after placing fourth on his Honda CRF450R during the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross on 16 June 2018 at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, PA. Photo: Shelley Lipton
Source: Getty Images

Ken Roczen won numerous prestigious races during his rookie season of US racing in 2014, earning him the title of AMA Supercross Rookie of the Year. He does particularly well in open-air competition, taking up 20 of the 2016 AMA Motocross season 24 championships. In the years that followed, he was also able to recover from two serious incidents.

Full name

Ken Roczen

Date of birth

29 April 1994

Place of birth

Mattstedt

Nationality

German

Zodiac sign

Taurus

Profession

professional motocross racer

Net worth

$1- $3 million

14. Joël Robert

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame honoured Jol Robert in 2000. He was a vital member of a European motocross squad in the 1960s and 1970s that helped popularize the sport in the US. Despite leading an irresponsible lifestyle, he is regarded as a champion with innate skill.

Full name

Joel Robert

Date of birth

26 November 1943

Place of birth

Chtelet

Nationality

Belgian

Zodiac sign

Sagittarius

Profession

Professional motocross racer

Net worth

$5 million

13. Travis Pastrana

who are some famous motocross riders
Professional motorsports competitor and stunt performer Travis Pastrana of USA during The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2022 on 26 July 2022 in Chichester, England. Photo: Vince Mignott
Source: Getty Images

When he was just 14 years old, Travis Pastrana, who is well-known for his action sports versatility and his blockbuster series Nitro Circus, won the 1988 World Freestyle Championship.

In addition to his 11 X Games gold medals and five Gravity Games golds, he has voted Motocross Rider of the Year at the ESPN Action Sports & Music Awards in 2001. Pastrana accomplished the first double backflip on a motorcycle during the 2006 X Games.

Full name

Travis Pastrana

Date of birth

8 October 1983

Place of birth

Annapolis

Nationality

American

Zodiac sign

Libra

Profession

Race car driver, Athlete, Stunt Performer, Film Producer, Television producer, Screenwriter, Actor

Net worth

$25 million

12. Stefan Everts

famous motocross riders that have died
Belgian Stefan Everts poses 24 October 2004 in Weston super Mare, England. Photo: Matt Cardy
Source: Getty Images

In 2006, Stefan Everts set a record by winning his tenth World Championship, and shortly after that, he announced his retirement. Everts has partnered with companies like Suzuki and Yoko because of his technical prowess. Liam Everts, his son in his teen years, is regarded as a future motocross star.

Full name

Stefan Everts

Date of birth

25 November 1972

Place of birth

Neeroeteren, Maaseik, Belgium

Nationality

Belgian

Zodiac sign

Sagittarius

Profession

professional motocross racer

Net worth

$1.5 million

11. Jeffrey Herlings

famous motocross riders as of 2022
Jeffrey Herlings of Netherlands competes during the Portugal MX GP World Championship on 14 April 2018 in Agueda, Portugal. Photo: Octavio Passos
Source: Getty Images

World Champion Jeffrey Herlings has won four times. He won his first national championship in the Dutch Amateur 65cc Championship in 2002. Since then, he has strived to improve every year. Herlings has had several severe wounds yet keeps rising to compete in international races despite them.

Full name

Jeffrey Herlings

Date of birth

12 September 1994

Place of birth

Geldrop, Netherlands

Nationality

Dutch

Zodiac sign

Virgo

Profession

Professional motocross racer

Net worth

$1 million - $2 million

10. Chad Reed

who are some famous motocross riders
Supercross rider Chad Reed poses for a portrait in advance of the 2014 Monster Energy Cup at Sam Boyd Stadium on 17 October 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Ethan Miller
Source: Getty Images

Chad Reed, renowned for his toughness, stated for Racer X in 2019 that he intended to return to racing in 2020 after healing from "eight fractured ribs, a shattered scapula, and a collapsed lung."

He is a champion of the people, drawing raucous applause even when he comes in second. Reed is a team racer who, despite any setbacks, has steadily advanced in his career.

Full name

Chad Mark Reed AM

Date of birth

15 March 1982

Place of birth

Kurri Kurri, Australia

Nationality

Australian

Zodiac sign

Pisces

Profession

Professional motocross racer

Net worth

$20 million

9. Tony Cairoli

In 2005, Antonio Caroli became the nation's youngest motocross world champion. With eight titles under his belt in 2015, he was regarded as the "King of Motocross" and added a ninth two years later.

Full name

Antonio "Tony" Cairoli

Date of birth

23 September 1985

Place of birth

Patti, Italy

Nationality

Italian

Zodiac sign

Libra

Profession

professional motocross racer

Net worth

$10 million

8. Ryan Dungey

Ryan Dungey created a name for himself in 2010 by taking the top Supercross and National Motocross championships in his first year. In 2012, he contributed to the KTM family's maiden AMA Motocross victory and competed well in his races despite injuring his collarbone.

Full name

Ryan Dungey

Date of birth

4 December 1989

Place of birth

Belle Plaine, Minnesota, United States

Nationality

American

Zodiac sign

Sagittarius

Profession

Professional motocross racer

Net worth

$8 million

7. Roger DeCoster

In 1999, Roger DeCoster was honoured with induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Because of his stern demeanour, he is frequently referred to as "The Man." In 1981, he served as the team manager for the first US team to triumph in the Motocross des Nations.

His trademark manoeuvre was to observe other riders and analyze their posture and stunts to improve his performance on the track.

Full name

Roger De Coster

Date of birth

28 August 1944

Place of birth

Uccle, Belgium

Nationality

Belgian

Zodiac sign

Virgo

Profession

Professional motocross racer

Net worth

$2.5 million

6. James Stewart Jr

who are some famous motocross riders
James Stewart races at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Reliant Stadium on 31 March 2012 in Houston, Texas. Photo: Jeff Kardas
Source: Getty Images

After winning the 125cc championship in 2002, James' "Bubba" Stewart Jr. became the youngest AMA motocross champion. Because of his skill and love of accessorizing, he is referred to as the "Michael Jordan of Supercross." He made his retirement announcement in May 2019.

Full name

James Stewart Jr

Date of birth

21 December 1985

Place of birth

Bartow, Florida, United States

Nationality

American

Zodiac sign

Sagittarius

Profession

Professional motocross racer

Net worth

$18 million

5. Ricky Johnson

In 1999, Rick Johnson was honored with induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. In addition to being a champion, he has competed on four successful US Motocross des Nations teams. In 1991, he held the record for most AMA Supercross victories, subsequently surpassed by Jeremy McGrath.

Johnson and David Bailey engaged in a historical rivalry in 1986, and the racer retired at 26 due to an accident.

Full name

Richard Bernard Johnson Jr

Date of birth

6 July 1964

Place of birth

El Cajon, California, United States

Nationality

American

Zodiac sign

Cancer

Profession

Professional racer

Net worth

$596,000

4. Bob Hannah

Bob "Hurricane" In 1999, Hannah was honoured by being inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He didn't begin competing until he was 18 years old, and by 1999, he was one of only two racers to have won championships in the 125cc, 250cc, and Supercross classes.

He was a champion everywhere because of his adaptable talents.

Full name

Robert William Hannah

Date of birth

26 September 1956

Place of birth

Lancaster, California, United States

Nationality

American

Zodiac sign

Libra

Profession

Professional racer

Net worth

$1-5 million

3. Ryan Villopoto

great motocross riders
Professional motocross racer Ryan Villopoto arrives at Oakley's Disruptive by Design at Red Studios on 24 February 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Chelsea Lauren
Source: Getty Images

Although Ryan Villopoto has won 10 championships, his four consecutive supercross championship wins are what people remember him for the most. He struggled with a lot of interpersonal conflict and rivalry and used his bad energy to win races.

Full name

Ryan Villopoto

Date of birth

13 August 1988

Place of birth

Poulsbo, Washington, United States

Zodiac sign

Leo

Nationality

American

Profession

Professional motocross racer

Net worth

$5 million

2. Jeremy McGrath

who are some famous motocross riders
Motocross rider Jeremy McGrath attends the Waiting for Lightning Los Angeles premiere at the ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on 10 April 2012 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Paul Archuleta
Source: Getty Images

In 2003, Jeremy McGrath was honoured with induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. In the 1990s, he rose to fame as one of the most well-known racers of all time and appeared in advertisements and on programs like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

His most impressive stunts on the track included the high jump and the Nac Nac, which contributed to the development of freestyle motocross.

Full name

Jeremy McGrath

Date of birth

19 November 1971

Place of birth

San Francisco, California, United States

Horoscope

Scorpio

Nationality

American

Profession

professional racer

Net worth

$6 million

1. Ricky Carmichael

famous motocross riders that have died
Supercross rider Ricky Carmichael attends Monster Energy Super Cross World Championship Race at MetLife Stadium on 26 April 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris
Source: Getty Images

In 2013, Ricky Carmichael was admitted to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. With 150 victories in professional contests throughout 11 years as a rider, he is referred to as the GOAT.

He completed an unbeaten season three times, in 2002, 2004, and 2005, making him the only AMA Motocross rider to do so. Five times, in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006, he was named the AMA Pro Racing Athlete of the Year. He started stock-car racing after giving up motocross.

Full name

Richard Joseph Carmichael

Date of birth

27 November 1979

Place of birth

Clearwater, Florida, United States

Horoscope

Sagittarius

Profession

Professional racer

Nationality

American

Net worth

$25 million

Who are the top 5 female motocross riders?

Unlike decades ago, when such sports were male-dominated, women have begun to find their way into the industry. Some of the terrific female motocross rides include,

  • Ashley Fiolek
  • Tarah Gieger
  • Jessica Patterson
  • Vicki Golden
  • Mercedes Gonzales

Choosing the top 20 most famous motocross riders in the sport's history is challenging because so many outstanding riders have come and gone. Those, as mentioned earlier, have nonetheless established a clear distinction between the best and average professionals. Additionally, some have significantly affected the sport, not just via racing but also outside the realm of racing and have immensely achieved jaw-dropping achievements.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.
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