It is safe to say that Italy will soon overhaul the USA at the top of the table.  The last win by a U.S. rider was Kenny Roberts' (Jnr') win in Motegi, 2000.  Since Rossi ’s win at the Rio GP in 2000, Italian riders have taken the chequered flag first, 29 times in 34 races.

Who would be willing to take bets on the next time a Briton wins a GP race.......

1. USA - 150
2. Italy - 148
3. Great Britain - 138
4. Australia - 84
5. Spain - 19
6. Rhodesia - 12
7. Japan - 10
8. Netherlands - 8
9. Brazil - 5
10. Ireland - 4
11. Finland, France, NZ, Venezuela - 3
12. Argentina - 2
13. Germany, Switzerland Czechoslovakia - 1

The magnificent Wayne Rainey was responsible for quite a few of those U.S. wins
A magnificent champion, and by all reports, also a fantastic bloke