These are barren times for Italy in the MotoGP World Championship, with Valentino Rossi as the only standout from the country that has produced 20 world riders' titles in the premier class.

The death of Marco Simoncelli robbed Italia of a nascent superstar. But the durable-if-unspectactular Andrea Dovizioso is the only other competitive Italian in MotoGP, with ride buyers Danilo Petrucci, Mattia Pasini and Michele Pirro taking advantage of the shaking tin cups looking for funding at CRT teams this season.

There's not much Italian talent on the rise in Moto2, either. Andrea Iannone and Simone Corsi are the only Italian riders from the top 20 in the standings last season returning to the intermediate class this year.

Meanwhile, Spain boasts superstars Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa in MotoGP. The ever-improving Alvaro Bautista is on a Gresini Honda satellite bike, and Hector Barbera is the top Ducati satellite rider. Only Aleix Espargaro and Ivan Silva can be seen as Spanish ride-buyers in the premier class. Plus Spain can strut the prohibitive favorite in Moto2 in Marc Marquez and a strong contender in Moto3 in Maverick Vinales.

Why is MotoGP seeing a Lost Generation of Italian riders? Perhaps the greatest Italian rider of them all, 15-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini, thinks a lack of attention on young sprouts on two wheels has caused a weak harvest of elite riders.

"In recent years, we have neglected the school; we did not raise our young people," Ago said. "Instead in Spain, they have done the opposite, with leagues for all ages, and the results are there for all to see.

"Now the Italian federation has realized the mistake, but it will take time to train new recruits. In the future, I hope to grow an array of good riders who can aim high."