MOTOGP : THE MUSIC CHOICE OF THE RIDERS

From the old, to the new, to the classics, to the somewhat left field choices… MotoGP riders’ music tastes vary as much as their riding styles! For this week’s BIG STATS, we asked some of the fastest men on the planet about their favourite songs, artists, workout and grid jams, all for your hearing pleasure (or perhaps not)!

Let’s begin with the key question when it comes to motorcycle racers and music. What do they listen to on the grid before a race? WELL, out of the riders we asked, a high number of them don’t actually listen to any music while on the grid. “I prefer to soak up the atmosphere of the grid, with the sound of the mechanics, fans, guests…”, said Angel Nieto Team’s, Alvaro Bautista.

Other riders who told us they prefer no music on the grid are the likes of Zarco, Rabat, Simeon, Petrucci & Morbidelli.

Have you really seen a MotoGP grid without an image of Jorge Lorenzo with his Beats headphones firmly attached to his head, a towel round his neck, and looking ready to take off like a rocket ship as soon as the lights go out? Projecting in those ears of the 5-time World Champion can be almost anything across the rock spectrum, from Oasis, to Linkin Park, Sum 41 & his favourite - the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Although, the 5-time World Champion states he will rarely steer too far away from Californication while preparing to give it full gas.

Pramac Racing’s Jack Miller’s music taste is just like his lifestyle: rock & roll to the bone. The Aussie is a big fan of the likes of Motorhead, with his favourite motivational song being the Ace of Spades. His favourite band though? AC/DC! They are also the pick of Franco Morbidelli’s workout tunes (along with the Foo Fighters). Meanwhile, former Moto2 champion Tito Rabat’s favourite song ever is the Australian/British icons’ 1975 hit – TNT!

A little-known fact about the double Moto2 World Champion, one of Johann Zarco’s other life passions is music. He’s not only good at using his hands to twist a throttle, but he’s an accomplished pianist as well! The Frenchman looks up to the likes of Paul McCartney as his favourite artist, while his favourite song is Elton John’s mainly instrumental piece: Song For Guy.

It’s not all about rock & roll or classic viral anthems, MotoGP’s Malaysian hotshot Hafizh Syahrin’s faith is a main driver in his life on and off the track. “Grateful” by Deen Squad, a group of faith-based artists from Canada, is not only Hafizh’s favourite song but also what he listens to as he lines up on the grid before a GP. The band combines urban rap & hip-hop while promoting a message of spirituality, love, and unity.

Bautista isn’t the only Ed Sheeran fan on the grid. That’s right, Britain’s Bradley Smith’s favourite artist of all is Suffolk’s finest. Although in response to what his favourite song was, Bradley reeled off easily one of the ultimate British classics; played at weddings, school dances, throwback nightclubs all over Blighty – it’s Robbie Williams’ Let Me Entertain You!

Italian Stallion Danilo Petrucci is another member of the old-skool brigade: his favourite ‘choon’ to listen to being Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – because originals are usually better than remakes, isn’t that right Guns ‘n’ Roses (only joking)! His favourite artist is slightly less well known outside of his native Italy – rockstar, Vasco Rossi. And something slightly more left field about Petrux’s music choice, however, is that he chooses not to listen to music on the grid but rather while he is putting on his leathers; during which, “Death Rides a Horse” by Ennio Marricone plays out. It’s the theme to a 1967 Spaghetti Western classic of the same name and is exactly what gets Danilo in the mood for battle on the track.