Colin Edwards is a 39-year-old American professional motorcycle racer. He is a two-time World Superbike champion and a record holder for the most points in a single season with 552 in the championship. After winning his 2nd Superbike World Championship, Edwards moved up to the MotoGP class in 2003. Nicknamed the ‘Texas Tornado’, he currently rides bike number 5 for the NGM Mobile Forward Racing team. Edwards finished 14th in the 2013 MotoGP World Championship standings with 41 points. He has a yearly salary of $950, 000.
9. Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – $1 million per year
Andrea Dovizioso won the 125cc World Championship in 2004. He moved up to the MotoGP class in September 2007, achieving a highly credible fourth place finish in his premier class debut. He become one of Honda’s most consistent riders throughout that season, finishing fourth and fifth several times, and achieving a 3rd place podium finish at the Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang. In 2012, Dovizioso was signed by Ducati to partner Nicky Hayden from the 2013 season onwards. He finished 8th behind Stefan Bradl in the 2013 Championship with 140 points. Dovi is paid $1 million annually by Ducati.
8. Cal Crutchlow – Ducati Team – $1.2 million per year
Cal Crutchlow is an English Grand Prix motorcycle racer, a former British Supersport Champion, British Superbike race winner and the 2009 Supersport World Champion. He began competing in the MotoGP class since 2011, joining Tech 3 for the 2013 MotoGP Championship. The 28-year-old finished the season in 12th position, and was named the “Rookie of the Year”. 2013 saw Crutchlow finished 5th with 188 points in the Championship standings. He signed a two-year deal, paying him $1.2 million per year, with the factory Ducati team on August 2, 2013. He will be riding bike number 35 for the 2014 season.
7. Alvaro Bautista – Honda Gresini Racing Team – $1.4 million per year
Alvaro Bautista made his way into MotoGP in the 2010 season, after signing with team Suzuki. He currently drives for the Honda-equipped Gresini Racing team with bike number 19. Baustista made his international debut in the 2002 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. He achieved the first position in MotoGP at the 2012 British Grand Prix, and his first ever MotoGP podium came at Misano in 2013. The 29-year-old Spaniard finished the 2013 MotoGP World Championship in 6th position with 171 points. He is paid $1.4 million per year by the Gresini Racing team.
6. Stefan Bradl – LCR Honda Team – $1.7 million per year
Stefan Bradl is a German Grand Prix motorcycle racer currently riding bike number 6 for LCR Honda team in the MotoGP class. He moved up to the Moto2 class of Grand Prix racing in 2010, and the 2011 season was his most celebrated time at that level. In 2011, Bradl won the World Championship in spectacular fashion. Just when the championship seemed to be going down to the wire with two rounds remaining, both he and the injury-bound Marc Marquez were neck and neck, both with fair shots at the title. He finished 7th in the 2013 Championship with 156 points The 24-year-old was signed to ride a 1000cc LCR Honda in 2012, and has a yearly salary of $1.7 million.
5. Nicky Hayden – Aspar Racing Team – $4 million per year
Nicky Hayden won the MotoGP World Championship in 2006 riding for Honda. His 10-year relationship with Honda, that lasted from 2003 to 2008, ended in September 2008, after it was announced that he would be joining the Ducati Marlboro Team for the 2009 MotoGP season. Hayden has 3 MotoGP wins and 28 MotoGP podiums under his belt. He finished 9th in the 2013 Championship with 126 points. He signed with the Aspar Racing Team on October 17, 2013, and will be riding bike number 69 for the 2014 season. The 32-year-old has a yearly salary of $4 million.
4. Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – $4 million per year
Marc Marquez won the 2013 MotoGP World Championship, becoming the youngest world champion in the class at the age of 20. With the win, Marquez broke several records, the most notables of those being becoming the youngest rider to hold pole position, to take successive podium positions, to take the fastest lap, to win 5 successive Grands Prix and to lead the Championship (334 points in 2013), all in Premier Class. Marquez is one of the four riders to win at least one 125 cc, Moto 2 and MotoGP World Championship. The 21-year-old Spaniard drives bike number 93 for the Repsol Honda Team. He has a yearly salary of $4 million.
