Every race has a defining moment.
After the drama of the opening laps, the strategy, the overtakes and the final push towards the finish line, there is one symbol that signals the conclusion of it all. The black and white chequered flag has become synonymous with victory, marking the exact moment a rider etches their name into the history books.
For more than a century, the chequered flag has held this significance across motorsport. While its origins date back to the early 1900s, it has become one of the most recognisable symbols in racing, representing achievement, celebration and the end of an unforgettable contest.
Today, through MotoGP™ Authentics, fans have the opportunity to become part of that journey by adding their name to the official chequered flag before it heads to the circuit.
Where the journey begins
Long before the riders line up on the grid, the MotoGP™ chequered flag begins its own journey.
Ahead of every Grand Prix weekend, a limited number of spaces are made available for fans to personalise with a name of their choice. Whether celebrating a special occasion or simply marking a favourite race, every name added makes each flag completely unique.
Once the personalisation window closes, every chosen name is carefully applied to the official MotoGP™ chequered flag before it begins its journey to the circuit, ready to take its place at one of the biggest weekends in motorcycle racing.
A flag at the heart of the action
Many fans assume the chequered flag only appears at the end of Sunday's Grand Prix, but its role extends far beyond the final race.
Throughout the weekend, the official MotoGP™ chequered flag is used to greet the winners of Moto3™, Moto2™, the MotoGP™ Sprint and the MotoGP™ Grand Prix itself. Every victory, every celebration and every emotional finish becomes part of the flag's story.
One of the most exciting unknowns surrounding the chequered flag is discovering who might wave it at the end of the race. This is not always announced in advance and sometimes involves high-profile guests and VIPs from the world of sports and entertainment, or someone legendary in the history of MotoGP™ itself.
Over the years, MotoGP™ chequered flags have been waved by the likes of Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves, tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz, MotoGP™ Hall of Famer Jorge Lorenzo, football World Cup winner Carles Puyol and more.
With VIP guests regularly in attendance across the calendar, there is always an element of surprise. You never quite know who could end up waving your name as the race winner takes the victory!
The journey home
Once the celebrations have ended and the paddock begins to pack away, the chequered flag starts the final leg of its journey.
It is carefully returned to the team at Memento Exclusives, where each personalised section is individually preserved and presented within a premium display case. Featuring your piece of the official race-used flag alongside imagery from the race weekend and authentication, every display serves as a lasting reminder of the Grand Prix where your name became part of MotoGP™ history.
From the moment your name is added to the flag to the moment it arrives at your door, every stage of the process is designed to preserve the significance of that unforgettable race weekend.
Become part of the next MotoGP™ story
The chequered flag has been a symbol of victory for generations, marking some of the greatest moments motorsport has ever seen. Through MotoGP™ Authentics, fans now have the rare opportunity to become part of that tradition.
With only a limited number of spaces available for each Grand Prix, every flag represents a unique moment in the season that can never be recreated. If you'd like to see your name on an official MotoGP™ chequered flag at an upcoming race or would like to give the perfect gift to a lifelong fan, explore the latest events available on MotoGP™ Authentics and secure your place before the next flag heads to the circuit.
