MotoGP Trophies: What Do Winners Get?

When a MotoGP rider crosses the finish line first, the celebration is just beginning. Beyond the thrill of victory and the cheers of the crowd, there are tangible rewards that mark their achievement. But what exactly do they win?

From the unique trophy at each Grand Prix to the legendary prize for winning the World Championship, let’s explore the silverware that riders, teams, and manufacturers compete for all season long.

What do riders win at each Grand Prix?

The most immediate reward for a successful race is the Grand Prix trophy. After the main Sunday race at each event on the calendar, the top three finishers head to the podium for a ceremony.

Here, they are presented with large, often beautifully designed trophies. Unlike some sports with a standardised cup, each MotoGP trophy is typically unique to the circuit, sometimes reflecting the local culture or the track’s sponsor. The winner gets the largest trophy, with slightly smaller versions for second and third place.

This ceremony is a familiar sight for fans, involving national anthems and the famous spraying of sparkling wine (or a non-alcoholic equivalent in some countries). It’s a moment of pure celebration that honours the incredible effort of the top three riders on the day.

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Is there a trophy for the Sprint?

Since 2023, every MotoGP weekend has also featured a Sprint. This is a shorter race held on Saturday, covering roughly half the distance of the main Grand Prix.

While the Sprint has its own podium ceremony, the rewards are different. Instead of a large trophy, the top three finishers are awarded medals. This helps to distinguish the achievement from a full-length Grand Prix victory, which remains the primary goal of the weekend.

Points are awarded for the Sprint, which count towards the World Championship, but a Sprint win is not officially counted as a ‘Grand Prix win’ in the historical record books. It’s a significant achievement, but the Sunday race is still considered the main event.

What is the World Championship trophy?

While winning a Grand Prix is a huge accomplishment, the ultimate prize in MotoGP is the World Championship. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, with riders collecting points at every round.

The rider who accumulates the most points across all the Sprints and main races over the entire season is crowned the MotoGP World Champion. This is the highest honour in motorcycle road racing, a title that puts a rider’s name alongside the legends of the sport.

The physical award is the magnificent MotoGP World Championship trophy. It’s a tall, multi-tiered silver tower, instantly recognisable to fans around the world. The champion doesn’t get to keep the original; instead, their name is engraved on its base, and they receive a smaller replica to commemorate their success.

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Becoming champion is a career-defining moment. Riders like Marc Marquez, a seven-time premier-class champion, and recent title winners like Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, have all had their names added to this iconic piece of silverware.

Are there other championships to win?

Yes, the rider’s title is the most famous, but it’s not the only championship decided at the end of the season. MotoGP is a team sport, and there are prestigious awards for the teams and manufacturers too.

First is the Constructors’ Championship, awarded to the most successful bike manufacturer (like Ducati, Aprilia, or KTM). In each race, points are only given to the highest-finishing rider for each constructor. This rewards the company that has built the best all-round motorcycle.

Second is the Teams’ Championship. This is simpler: it’s the combined points total of both riders within a single team, such as the Ducati Lenovo Team or Aprilia Racing. This title recognises the best-performing team unit over the season.

Finally, there is an award for the top Independent Team rider. This honours the best-placed rider in the championship who rides for a ‘satellite’ team—one that leases its bikes from a manufacturer rather than being a full factory-run effort. It’s a major achievement for riders outside the main factory squads.

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Quick Takeaways

• The top three riders in a Sunday Grand Prix race receive a large, often unique, trophy on the podium.
• The ultimate prize is the World Championship trophy, awarded to the rider with the most points at the end of the season.
• Awards are also given for the best manufacturer (Constructors’ Championship) and the best team (Teams’ Championship).
• Saturday Sprints have a separate podium where the top three finishers receive medals, not the full Grand Prix trophies.