MotoGP List of 2014 Crash Statistics

THE NUMBERS: Over the course of 2014 there were 981 crashes in total that occurred during the 18 Grand Prix weekends. This amounts to 118 more than the crash total from 2013. In the premier class there were 206 crashes, 61 of which occurred during races.

THE TRACKS: Misano was the circuit which saw the most crashes in 2014 by some margin with 109 in total, followed by Motegi and Phillip Island where there were 71 crashes each. It must be pointed out however that in 2013 there were far fewer accidents at Misano (66) and that this year the figure was increased significantly by a very wet Friday which caused slippery conditions during the free practice sessions.

THE CHAMP: MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez reduced his number of crashes from last year, recording 11 in 2014, having crashed 15 times in 2013.

THE MOST: It was Bradley Smith who recorded the most crashes of any rider in the premier class this year, the Briton going down 16 times, putting him eighth in the list of riders with most crashes this year across the three Grand Prix classes, with Moto2 and Moto3 riders occupying the top seven spots.

THE LEAST: Jorge Lorenzo, meanwhile, rarely crashes and each year that passes he seems to crash less and less. In 2011 and 2012 he crashed five times, in 2013 he had three accidents and this year he crashed just twice.

MOTO2: 134 of the total 408 crashes came during races.

MOTO3: 140 of the 367 spills happened whilst the riders were racing compared to riding in free practice or qualifying.

Unfortunately there were no riders in the World Championship who did not record a single crash. Does this mean that to compete in Grand Prix, one must always push close to the limit?