In the past decade, reigning Champions have donned the 99, 93, 36 and 20 as riders show a preference for sticking to what they already have. However, it used to be the norm for a rider to switch to the #1 plate, think back to the likes of Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan, Wayne Rainey, Alex Criville and Kenny Roberts JR during the 500cc days, but in recent history, riders have opted to forgo the plate. In fact, in the MotoGP™ era, we have seen it just four times. The first was when the late, great Nicky Hayden ran it during the 2007 season, then Casey Stoner in 2008 on his Ducati before Lorenzo donned it the year after his maiden premier class title during 2011. The last time we saw it was across the front of Stoner’s Honda in 2012.

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