MADRID, 14 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Royal Spanish Motorcycle Federation (RFME) has celebrated this Tuesday its great Centenary Gala at the Cibeles Palace in Madrid, where it has had the presence of some of the most successful riders in Spanish motorcycling such as the Márquez brothers, Toni Bou or Laia Sanz, in an act that commemorated the 100-year history of the most successful federation in our country.
“It is the federation with the most titles, this says it all. The base is worked on a lot, there is good training and, above all, there is the possibility for the children to show their talent and grow. I really love how everything is staggered, all the There are categories and all the championships, this is a privilege. I’m proud to be part of it,” said Spanish rider Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda).
The attendees, who paraded first down the red carpet of the gala, were also able to enjoy the Walk of Fame, where the pilots left their gas grip marked in a space dedicated to them. Motorcycling figures with more than one world title were there, such as Marc Márquez, Álex Márquez, Álvaro Bautista, David Checa, Carlos Checa, Sito Pons, Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Martínez “Aspar”, Álex Crivillé, Jordi Tarrés, Toni Bou, Adam Raga, Ana Carrasco, Laia Sanz, Maikel Melero, Josep García, Iván Cervantes and Marc Coma.
Then the gala began where the medals and diplomas were awarded to the 2022 world champions as well as the distinctions to the ‘RFME Legends’ to some pilots, Spanish manufacturers and personalities who have marked the history of motorcycling in our country.
In this sense, the Superbike world champion, Álvaro Bautista, thanked the RFME for the award and acknowledged that he was “enjoying” this new category after leaving MotoGP. “I’m enjoying the bike a lot. What keeps me in shape right now is enjoying the bike and having that feeling. I’ve discovered a championship, a bike, some tires with which I have a good time. I really want to continue fighting and to put up with the youngsters who are squeezing me from behind,” said the pilot.
For his part, the trial legend, Toni Bou, also took the opportunity to praise the role of the federation and value his professional career. “I always say that my dream since I was little was to be a pilot of what I like the most, trial. Being able to dedicate myself to this is already a dream and having won so many titles has far exceeded all the dreams I could have in my head,” said the 32-time world champion.
Among the awards, Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ was also presented with the ‘Golden Helmet’, in recognition of his entire professional career, by the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, who acted as host. “Seeing faces that for so many years we have seen winning in all parts of the world and that have given us so much joy is a source of pride for this council,” stressed the mayor of the capital.
In addition, the RFME also reviewed the great milestones achieved during these 100 years of history with a documentary and paid a special tribute to the Spanish motorcycling legend and thirteen-time world champion, Ángel Nieto, through his son, ‘ Gelette’ Grandson. “My father was in love with motorcycles and I think he would cry when he saw so many champions here. He gave everything for motorcycles and achieved the most important thing, the love of all the fans,” he concluded.