Canada is home to some of the best motorcycle racers in the world. From the high-profile series of MotoGP to the fan-favorite Canadian Superbike Championship, Canadian riders are making a name for themselves on the international racing stage.
With its unique landscape and a strong racing culture, Canada has produced some of the most iconic riders of our time.
From the likes of multi-time world champion Miguel Duhamel to the young gun and up-and-comer Kenny Riedmann, Canadian racers have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with.
We’ll take a closer look at some of the best motorcycle racers that Canada has to offer.
1. Jordan Szoke
Jordan Szoke is a renowned Canadian superbike racer and a 14-time National Champion. Born in Brantford, Ontario, Szoke is affectionately known as “The People’s Champ” due to his immense popularity among Canadian fans.
His accomplishments on the track have cemented his reputation as one of the greatest racers in Canadian history. He currently holds the record for most Canadian Superbike Championships and has also broken numerous other records in the sport.
Szoke’s success is a testament to his unwavering passion for racing and his dedication to his craft. He is an inspiration to all aspiring racers and a true Canadian hero.
2. Yvon Duhamel
Yvon Duhamel was a remarkable figure in Canadian motorsports history. A French Canadian professional motorcycle and snowmobile racer, he was an incredibly successful competitor.
Over a distinguished career, he won the White Trophy six times, the highest award in Canadian motorcycle racing. This accomplishment alone speaks volumes about his skill and dedication. Duhamel began competing in the 1950s and his career spanned four decades.
His success was not limited to motorcycle racing, however. He also competed in snowmobile racing and was a successful competitor in both disciplines.
His successes set him apart from the competition and earned him a great deal of respect among other motorsport professionals. Throughout his career, Duhamel was a passionate competitor. He had a love for the sport and a strong desire to be the best.
His competitive spirit was evident on the racetrack and he was known for pushing himself and his machines to the limit.
This drive and determination were instrumental in his success and made him one of the most accomplished motorcycle racers in Canadian motorsports history. Yvon Duhamel’s legacy lives on in the Canadian motorsports community.
He was an inspirational figure who set an example of excellence that will never be forgotten. His achievements are a testament to his skill and passion for motorsports and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest Canadian motorcycle racers of all time.
3. Jake DeRosier
Jacob DeRosier was a pioneering figure in Canadian motorsport. He was one of the first professional racers to be supported by a factory, a major sponsor. He was a rider for both Indian and Excelsior, two of the most successful motorcycle companies of the time.
DeRosier quickly made a name for himself across the United States and was widely regarded as the fastest rider of the early 1900s. His achievements in the world of motorcycle racing led to him becoming a celebrated figure in the motorsport community.
4. Miguel Duhamel
Miguel Duhamel is a renowned former professional motorcycle racer from Canada. He is the son of Yvon Duhamel, who is a member of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.
Miguel Duhamel is tied with Toni Elias for having the fourth-most wins in the AMA Superbike series, with a total of 32 wins. In 2016, Miguel Duhamel was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, a testament to his success and achievements in the sport.
He is a true Canadian motorsport legend, with a legacy that will live on for generations to come.
5. Stacey Nesbitt
Stacey Nesbitt is a Canadian motorcycle road racer who has achieved great success in her career. At only fourteen years of age, she became the first woman and Canadian to win the Canadian National Road Racing Championship, an event which is open to competitors of both genders.
This victory was only the beginning for Nesbitt, as she went on to become the first woman and Canadian to compete in the Asia Dream Cup, an impressive feat for such a young athlete.
Throughout her career, Nesbitt has shown that she is capable of competing at the highest level and that she is not afraid to take risks and push boundaries.
She is a true testament to the power of determination and hard work, and her accomplishments serve as a reminder of the potential of individuals in the face of adversity.
6. Christy Williams
Christy Williams is an accomplished motorcycle trials rider with an impressive list of accolades. She is a four time Canadian Women’s Trials Champion, demonstrating her skill and dominance in the Canadian trials circuit.
Williams has also held the title of American NATC Women’s Trials Champion a staggering ten times, cementing her status as one of the greatest female trials riders in the world.
Her achievements are a testament to her hard work and dedication, and she is an inspiration to aspiring female motorcycle riders everywhere.
7. Frank Perris
Frank Perris was a Canadian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and TT rider from Toronto. He was a well-known figure in the racing world, and his career began to take off around 1961.
That year, he finished in third place in the 500 cc World Championship, an impressive feat for a young rider from Canada.
His success was noticed by the Suzuki team, and he eventually became a contracted-rider from 1962 until 1966. During his time with the Suzuki team, Perris raced in a number of races, including the Canadian Grand Prix and the Isle of Man TT.
His success on the track earned him a great deal of recognition from other racers, as well as the fans.
He was known for his skill and bravery on the track, as well as his willingness to take risks. Perris’ time with the Suzuki team came to an end in 1966, but he continued to race and compete in various events until his retirement in 1974.
He was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 1984, a testament to his success and status as one of the top Canadian motorcycle racers of all time. His legacy as a great racer and a true competitor will continue to live on for many years to come.
8. Adam Roberts
Adam Roberts is a professional motorcycle racer from Canada. He has been racing since he was a teenager and has since become a successful Grand Prix racer. He is currently competing in the MotoGP World Championship, the premier class of motorcycle racing.
Adam Roberts has made a name for himself in the racing world, winning several races and earning several podium finishes. He is also known for his aggressive and daring riding style, which has earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting riders on the circuit.
His success on the track has led to numerous sponsorships and endorsements from major brands. Adam Roberts is committed to excellence in racing and works hard to stay at the top of his game.
He is an avid supporter of safety initiatives in the sport and regularly promotes the use of protective gear. He is also a strong advocate for environmental sustainability and is dedicated to promoting a green lifestyle.
Adam Roberts is a true inspiration to aspiring racers and serves as an example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. He is an accomplished and respected racer who continues to strive for excellence in the sport.
9. Michelle Duff
Michelle Ann Duff was a successful female Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. She was born in England in 1975 and began her racing career in 1990. She competed in the British Superbike Championship, the European Superbike Championship, and the World Superbike Championship.
She also had a successful career in the World Endurance Championship. Michelle was known for her skill and bravery on the track and was a popular rider. She was the first woman to win a Grand Prix race in 1996 when she took victory at the Dutch TT in Assen.
She was also the first female rider to win a World Superbike race, which she achieved in 1997 at the Brands Hatch circuit in England. Michelle earned a number of podiums during her career in Grand Prix and Superbike racing.
She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1998 for her services to motorcycle racing.
She retired from racing in 2002 and became a sportswoman and coach. Michelle is an inspiration to aspiring female riders and continues to be a role model in the sport.
She has paved the way for other female riders to achieve success in the male-dominated world of motorcycle racing.
10. Blair Morgan
Blair Morgan is an accomplished motocross racer and a member of Ski-Doo Racing team. He has won the CMRC, a prestigious motocross championship, multiple times and has been a 5-time gold medalist in the X-Games.
He has also achieved great success in the world of snocross snowmobile racing. Morgan is renowned for his ability to make successful comebacks from serious injuries.
He is also credited with developing the modern snocross riding style, which has become popular with professional riders. Morgan’s accomplishments in motocross and snowmobile racing are a testament to his dedication and skill.
11. Jean Sebastien Roy
Jean Sebastien Roy, or JSR, is an accomplished Canadian motocross rider. He hails from Acton Vale, Quebec, where he was born and raised.
Throughout his career, JSR has achieved great success, winning a total of five CMRC Canadian National Motocross Championships between 2001 and 2005. This impressive track record has cemented JSR’s place as one of the top motocross riders in Canada.
JSR’s success did not come easily. He has dedicated countless hours to his sport, training hard and perfecting his skills. His commitment has paid off, as JSR has been the Canadian National Motocross Champion five times in an impressive five-year span.
He has also been a finalist in the X Games, as well as winning other races and competitions. JSR’s accomplishments have earned him respect and admiration from his peers, as well as from the motocross community.
His commitment to the sport and to achieving excellence have made him a role model for aspiring riders. His passion for motocross and his impressive track record of success make him an inspiration to all who follow in his footsteps.
12. Eric Chitty
Eric Stephenson Chitty was a Canadian motorcycle speedway rider who made a name for himself in the world of motorcycle racing. He was born in Canada and began his career as a young racer in the mid 1930s.
He quickly rose to prominence in the sport, becoming one of the top riders in Canada and the United States. In 1938, Chitty achieved his greatest success when he won the London Riders’ Championship.
This event was a major speedway event in the United Kingdom, and it was the first time a Canadian had ever won the championship. Chitty’s victory was a major achievement, as he had to compete against some of the best riders from around the world.
His victory was a testament to his skill and determination as a racer. Throughout his career, Chitty continued to be a successful racer, winning multiple races in the United States and Canada. He retired in 1948, but his legacy remains in the speedway racing world.
He is remembered as one of the greatest speedway riders of his era and is an inspiration to all those who pursue their dreams.
13. Nick May
Nicholas K.J. May is a retired professional motocross racer from Canada. He competed in the Canadian Motosport Racing Corporation (CMRC) nationals, which is the highest level of professional motocross racing in Canada.
May began his professional racing career in the early 2000s and quickly established himself as one of Canada’s top motocross racers. He was a consistent competitor in the CMRC nationals, frequently finishing in the top 10 and winning several races.
After achieving success in the CMRC nationals, he retired in 2018 and now enjoys a peaceful life away from the rigors of professional racing. May’s impressive career in the CMRC nationals has established him as a legend in Canadian motocross circles.
14. Helmut Clasen
Helmut Clasen is a passionate motorcyclist who has been actively competing in enduro events since 1957. He is well-known and highly respected in the motorcycling community, and is fondly nicknamed “Speedy” by his family and friends.
Throughout his long career, Helmut has shown a tremendous amount of commitment and dedication to the sport, consistently pushing himself to perform better and rise to the top of the leaderboard.
He has participated in numerous national and international competitions, earning countless accolades in the process. Despite the many challenges he has faced, Helmut has always remained positive and determined to succeed.
His enthusiasm for the sport and determination to excel have truly made him an inspirational figure in the motorcycling world.
15. Larry Bastedo
Lawrence Bastedo is an accomplished Canadian motorcycle racer who has made an indelible mark on the Canadian motorsport industry.
Bastedo first began his career in motorcycling in the early 1960s and has since competed in nearly every form of the sport, including motocross, road racing, ice racing, and supermoto.
His success in the racing world earned him a spot in the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2004. Bastedo has had an impressive career as a motorcycle racer, and his accomplishments have been recognized both nationally and internationally.
In 1975, he was crowned the Canadian Superbike Champion, and in 1980 he won the Canadian Grand Prix championship.
He has also raced at some of the world’s top tracks, including the famed Daytona Speedway. Bastedo’s career has also included participating in many international events, such as the US Grand Prix, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, and the Suzuka 8 Hours.
He has also been part of several record-setting rides, such as the first ride from Vancouver to Halifax and the first ride from Halifax to St.
John’s.In addition to his success as a racer, Bastedo has been involved in several other motorcycle-related activities, such as coaching, teaching, and mentoring.
He is a highly sought-after speaker who has shared his knowledge and experience in motorcycling with countless aspiring racers. Bastedo’s ongoing commitment to the sport of motorcycling has earned him a well-deserved spot in the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame, and his accomplishments will continue to inspire future generations of racers.
Conclusion
Canada has some of the best motorcycle racers in the world. From the professional racers to the local racers, Canada has a wide range of talent.
With a variety of racing series, Canadian riders are able to hone their skills and compete against the best in the world. From the Grand Prix circuit to the local tracks, Canadian riders have the opportunity to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves.
Whether they are competing for the podium or just having fun, Canada has some of the best motorcycle racers in the world.
