MotoGP Crashes That Shook the Sport
by Richard Janvrin,
July 02, 2025
If you’ve ever watched MotoGP, you’ll know that this is not only one of the most thrilling motorsports in the world, but I’d also consider it one of the more dangerous ones.
The bikes used in races can reach well over 200 miles per hour, with drivers mere inches away from the pavement.
With that, there have been some incredibly sad crashes. There have also been some that make “MotoGP crashes compilations” that are scary, no doubt, but thankfully, everyone is OK.
For fans that follow the sport through watching, social media, or even through motorsports betting sites, you’ll know that some of these accidents are something you simply will never forget.
Below, I’ll take a look at some of the biggest MotoGP crashes in the history of the sport. Let’s dive in.
- Marco Simoncelli at 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix
- Daijiro Kato’s Death at Suzuka Circuit
- Jack Miller at Le Mans 2017
- Massive 2020 Austrian Grand Prix Crash
- Shinya Nakano at 2004 Italian Grand Prix (Mugello)
- Marc Marquez at Jerez
Marco Simoncelli at 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix
You can’t talk about the worst MotoGP crashes without mentioning Simoncelli. At the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix, Simoncelli sadly lost his life after losing control of his bike at Turn 11. After attempting to regain control, his bike swerved into the path of Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards. The two were unable to avoid him and hit him.
As a result, Simoncelli’s helmet came off during the impact. He suffered fatal chest, neck, and head injuries.
MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena said that, while in the ambulance, Simoncelli went into cardiac arrest.
She said that he was intubated and that they attempted CPR for 45 minutes.
He was taken off in an ambulance; the race was red-flagged and eventually canceled as only one lap was completed.
Simoncelli was an aggressive driver by nature, and he was excellent at it.
He was just 24 years old and is the modern-day poster child for “MotoGP crashes death” today, sadly.
Daijiro Kato’s Death at Suzuka Circuit
On April 6, 2003, Daijiro Kato was involved in a fatal crash at the MotoGP season opener at the Suzuka Circuit. Going about 125 miles per hour, he lost control of his bike near the Casio Triangle.
This resulted in him going off track and hitting the barrier.
He suffered head, neck, and chest injuries. There was a poor response by the medical team, including dropping his head while he was being moved. This could’ve added additional spinal damage.
Kato was in a coma for two weeks before he ultimately succumbed to a brain stem infarction.
This marked the final Grand Prix motorcycle race due to safety concerns.
Kato’s No. 74 was retired.
Jack Miller at Le Mans 2017
During a practice session, Jack Miller suffered a brutal crash. Thankfully, he was OK, but if you look up something like “MotoGP crashes compilation,” this will certainly appear.
In 2017, ahead of the 2017 French Grand Prix at Le Mans, Miller’s tire locked up, and he veered off the track at a high rate of speed. He was unable to stop in time and decided to let go of the bike before colliding with the barrier.
Making that decision to let go likely saved Miller from even more severe injuries. He still suffered a bruised right hand and had swelling in his knee, but overall, it could have been far worse.
Shockingly, after the medical team checked him out, he returned for the qualifying session and got 11th on the grid.
Fellow riders like Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso stated that there needed to be improved safety.
Massive 2020 Austrian Grand Prix Crash
I don’t like using the term “MotoGP best crashes” because these are all terrifying, but if you were to assume “best” meant the most carnage, the incident at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix would be up there.
During the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, there was a horrifying crash that took place on Lap 9. This involved Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli. They collided with one another, approaching Turn 3, and both fell off their bikes.
The crash became even more ingrained into the memories of fans after Morbidelli’s bike went across the grass, went airborne, somersaulted, and went into the track.
The bike narrowly missed Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales, who were in sixth and seventh place. Zarco’s bike also came close to hitting Vinales, but instead went into the barrier.
I cannot express how insanely close to a massive disaster this could’ve been. It was mere inches away from potentially leading to fatalities.
The race was red-flagged. Rossi said it was the scariest moment of his career.
Of all the worst MotoGP crashes, this one was already bad but had the potential to be an extremely sad moment for the sport.
Shinya Nakano at 2004 Italian Grand Prix (Mugello)
When it comes to MotoGP crashes compilation videos, you won’t find one that doesn’t mention Shinya Nakano’s tire explosion at the 2004 Italian Grand Prix.
Going nearly 200 miles per hour, Nakano’s rear tire exploded. This sent him cartwheeling through the air, and his bike was completely in pieces.
Fortunately, Nakano was OK overall despite this being one of the freakiest MotoGP crashes. He suffered some contusions, bruised left shoulder, bruised wrist, and injured his finger.
This was completely out of nowhere—the tire simply exploded, and Nakano went flying.
Bridgestone put out a press release following the failure in 2004 and mentioned they would investigate and committed to working around the clock to develop a revised tire spec.
Marc Marquez at Jerez
Marc Marquez’s 2020 season was cut short following one of the most devastating MotoGP crashes at the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. During the opening round, Marquez was attempting to make up some ground for Fabio Quartararo, but instead, he lost control of the bike and was flung off it like a rag doll.
As a result, he fractured his right humerus. He underwent surgery, and a titanium plate was inserted. Still, he attempted to return for the following week but was forced to withdraw as the pain in his arm was unbearable.
He had complications with the injury from one of the worst MotoGP crashes, missing the 2020 season and part of 2021.