Born in 1973, retired Grand Prix motorcycle racer, Loris Capirossi, was the first rider to start over 300 races, eventually reaching 332, beaten only by Valentino Rossi (432), Andrea Dovizioso (346) and Aleix Espargaro (339).
Loris began his career in the 125cc Grand Prix class in 1990, winning the championship in his rookie season at the tender age of 17 years, 5 months and 13 days. Proving it as no fluke, he successfully defended his title the following year.
Marlboro Honda came knocking on his garage door in 1992 and gave him a contract to ride their NSR250.
After finishing 2nd and 3rd in 1993 and 1994, respectively, Loris moved up to the top class, riding a Honda NSR500 in 1995…
…before moving to Wayne Rainey’s Yamaha team in 1996.
He returned to the lower class in 1997, riding an Aprilia RS250, and won the championship on it in 1998.
The premier class gave Capirossi another shot in 2000 and, as the two-stroke era gave way to the four-strokes, Loris jumped from his NSR500 to a Marlboro Ducati in 2003, visiting the top step seven times and reaching 3rd in the 2006 championship
In the autumn of his career, Loris had a few unspectacular seasons on the Suzuk GSV-R.and a swansong on a Pramac Ducati before retiring from racing in 2011.
Capirossi was no stranger to controversy during his career. His 250cc title in 1998 came at the expense of his championship rival and teamate, Tetsuya Harada, when Loris ran in to him and punted poor Tetsuya off the track on the final lap. Aprilia dropped Capirossi in the off-season.
During the 1999 season, Loris was black flagged at Mugello for dangerous riding after being involved in an incident with Marcellino Lucchi at the start of the race, as well as passing under yellow flags.
These days, Loris Capirossi is Dorna’s Safety Advisor.
Although not really his fault, one of the scariest moments in MotoGP involved Capirossi in the 2006 race at Catalunya, on the opening lap. It’s the reason racrs, and and even trackday riders, have one of these…
Happy birthday, Loris!