This had been touched on a while back, but I'm interested in an updated version.
Rossi is the obvious. But if you are going to pick a guy, then state why, and get a specific or 2 in there.
For example, while I don't agree with some of the stuff Lorenzo has done, I sure do like watching the guy ride, and I think he turns the bike amazingly so. So many turns that go all the way to his knee, full lean, in one action--impressive. Another thing, when he broke his collarbone flew home and had surgery, and came back a day or 2 later and raced...and finished 4th? Very impressive.
So maybe we can expand this to not just favorite, but one you admire (and why).
No limit on this as to when, what era of rider that is, can be from any time.