Chris Vermeulen
An Australian racer known for his wet-weather mastery, who stormed to a spectacular MotoGP victory in a downpour at Le Mans.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Australian motorcycle racer·Birthday: June 19·Millennials
Biography
Chris Vermeulen carved his path to MotoGP through the world championship circuits, bringing a methodical, intelligent approach to racing. The Australian first made his name in World Supersport, winning the title in 2003, before graduating to World Superbikes where he became a consistent front-runner. His talent in treacherous conditions was his calling card; in the wet, he was nearly untouchable. This was never more evident than at the 2007 French Grand Prix, where he delivered Suzuki its first MotoGP victory in years with a masterclass in a torrential downpour, slicing through the field from tenth on the grid. While his MotoGP career was shorter than some, marked by the limitations of his machinery, that day at Le Mans cemented his reputation as a brilliant technician and one of the great wet-weather riders of his generation.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chris was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Chris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2007 French Grand Prix at Le Mans in wet conditions, securing Suzuki's first MotoGP victory since 2001.
- Captured the World Supersport Championship in 2003 with the Ten Kate Honda team.
- Finished as runner-up in the 2005 World Superbike Championship, winning multiple races.
- Earned a podium finish in his very first MotoGP race at the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix.
Did You Know?
He is known for his distinctive 'elbow-down' riding style, which was particularly pronounced on corner entry.
Before his full-time racing career, he studied mechanical engineering.
His father, Andre, was also a motorcycle racer, which influenced Chris's early start in the sport.
“You don't win a world championship by being the bravest; you win by being the smartest.”
