Jorge Martinez, known as ‘Aspar’ – the cobbler – four-time world champion pays homage to his maestro Angel Nieto in the best possible way, change the name of his team and dedicate it to the greatest Spanish motorcyclist, 13 times world champion, or 12 + 1, as he himself liked to say. Second only after Giacomo Agostini. .
“Ángel Nieto is synonymous with motorcycle racing, a sport that has given him so much and to which he has given so much back – explains Jorge Martinez – motorcycle racing is in Spain thanks to the man who laid the first stone and We would like to pay tribute to this fact by renaming our team to Ángel Nieto Team. You would always learn so much if you were by his side. Ángel has helped so many people, including me, and he has been an important part of my life, as have his sons Gelete and Pablo and his nephew Fonsi. Ángel was particularly enthusiastic about this whole project. He trusted me that I would give Gelete his start in racing and he told me: ‘I know he will learn with you‘. To be able to honor his memory and to continue this project in the hands of his eldest son, who was one of the first to drive for my team, fills me with great pride. Ángel was the reason why so many Spaniards, including me, wanted to dedicate their lives to racing. Thanks to him we have the best fans in the world. Ángel will live forever, he will always be in our hearts and with that gesture he will always be on our minds as we continue to create champions and keep alive the flame of passion for this sport. “
“I took my first steps in racing with Jorge Martínez – added Nieto’s eldest son Gelete, the new team boss. He drove with Aspar from 1993 to 1997 and scored one victory in the European Championship in Barcelona and another in the Spanish Championship in Jerez, completing a total of 28,125 races.“He was always an important person for our family and by his side I am now starting a new phase of my professional life in a team that will bear my father’s name. 2016 was his 50th season in the World Cup and I’m sure he would have loved to have been a few more days. Motorcycles were his way of life and through this team we will ensure that he stays true to his great passion. “
The Angel Nieto Team will compete in MotoGP with two Ducatis ridden by the confirmed Alvaro Bautista and Karel Abraham, and in Moto3 with two KTMs ridden by Albert Arenas and Andrea Migno.
The Nieto dynasty is well represented in the paddock – Applyhis brother Pablo has been the team manager of Valentino Rossi’s Sky Racing Team VR46 for two years, while Angel’s nephew, Fonsi, will coach the Ducati-Pramac team in 2018.
