22 years ago Spanish motorcycling had little to do with the current one. Then an Australian, Mick Doohan , had just dominated the last five seasons in 500cc, while previously it had been the Americans who had shared the titles.
1999 was a turning point. After a decade without any champion, Spain would end the season with two, and most importantly, the premier class for the first time.
Precisely who had been the last Spanish champion was in charge of being crowned. Alex Crivillé won the 125cc title in 1989 and a decade later the 500cc title. The one from Seva (Barcelona) had debuted in the category in 1992 and had to endure the entire Doohan era for his turn to come.
After several years caressing him, in 1999 he got fully into history. In the penultimate race and after an outstanding season in which he added six victories, he stood up to Brazil with options to be crowned. Being 10th was worth it.
The Catalan arrived with an injury to his left wrist after falling two grand prix earlier, something that haunted him throughout his career, but at the now-defunct Jacarepagua Circuit he was able to overcome the pain and finish 6th, mathematically winning the title one race from the end.
More than seven million people came to see that race at some point, reaching more than 50% of the screen share.
Emilio Alzamora would be crowned a week later in 125cc, laying the seed for the most glorious era of Spanish motorcycling and which has lasted until now. However, it would not be until 2010 when Jorge Lorenzo would be proclaimed champion again in the heavy bike category. Since then, only Casey Stoner in 2011 has avoided the full Spanish in MotoGP.
↓ Do not miss some photos of the Spanish champions ↓
Photo by: Repsol Media
Photo by: Team LCR
Photo de: Toni Börner
Photo by: Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Red Bull GmbH and GEPA pictures GmbH
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Yamaha MotoGP
Photo by: Repsol Media
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Repsol Media
Foto de: Yamaha MotoGP
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Toni Börner
Photo by: Toni Börner
Complete list of Spanish world champions in all categories
| Pilot | Titles |
Years (Category) |
|---|---|---|
| Angel Grandson | 12+1 | 1969, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977 (50cc) 1971, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 (125cc) |
| Marc Márquez | 8 | 2010 (125cc) 2012 (Moto2) 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 (MotoGP) |
| Jorge Lorenzo | 5 | 2006, 2007 (250cc) 2010, 2012, 2015 (MotoGP) |
| Jorge Martinez ‘Aspar’ | 4 | 1986, 1987, 1988 (80cc) 1988 (125cc) |
| Dani Pedrosa | 3 | 2003 (125cc) 2004, 2005 (250cc) |
| Alex Criville | 2 | 1989 (125cc) 1999 (500cc) |
| Pons site | 2 | 1988, 1989 (250cc) |
| Ricardo Tormo | two | 1978, 1981 (50cc) |
| Toni Elijah | 1 | 2010 (Moto2) |
| Pol Espargaro | 1 | 2013 (Moto2) |
| Tito Rabat | 1 | 2014 (Moto2) |
| Emilio Alzamora | 1 | 1999 (125cc) |
| Alvaro Bautista | 1 | 2006 (125cc) |
| Alex Marquez | 1 | 2014 (Moto3) |
| George Martin |
1 |
2018 (Moto3) |
| Joan Mir | 1 | 2017 (Moto3) |
| Julian Simon | 1 | 2009 (125cc) |
| Nico Terol | 1 | 2011 (125cc) |
| Maverick Vinales | 1 | 2013 (Moto3) |
| Albert Arenas | 1 | 2020 (Moto3) |
| Manuel ‘Champi’ Herreros | 1 | 1989 (80cc) |
| Total titles |
51 |
