The RFME held its 2011 Champions Gala in which this season’s national champions were awarded and the Motorcyclist Merit medals were awarded to Those riders who have managed to stand out internationally with a place of honour in the different world championships disputed.
The president of the RFME, Joan Moreta, opened the event with a speech in which he reviewed the achievements of Spanish motorcycling outside our borders and congratulated the new national champions: “At the last FIM gala, we were once again the protagonists with five champions and two awards to Carlos Checa and Laia Sanz, chosen Personality and Woman of the Year respectively. After an incredible year 2010, this season our motorcycling has shown that it remains at the top of the world and that outside our country we are watched with a certain envy. But along with this, we also have to refer to our national championships, the banner of this federation, congratulate both its champions and thank the effort and enthusiasm of all those pilots who participate in them”.
In the speed specialty, the gala was attended by Nico Terol, Marc Márquez and Maverick Viñales, who received the gold, silver and bronze medals respectively for their achievements in the World Championship. Likewise, David Salom received the recognition of his Supersport runner-up position, while one of the absentees was Carlos Checa, who stood out for having brought the first Superbike title to Spain.
Jordi Torres and Iván Silva were also present with their European titles and together with Alex Rins they also formed the trio of champions of the CEV Buckler 2011.
In Enduro, Cristóbal Guerrero and Mario Román were the drivers who represented the team that achieved for Spain for the first time the runner-up position in the International Six Days, and both individually received the E2 world runner-up and the national title for Spain. Cristóbal Guerrero, while Mario Román received his silver medal as junior world runner-up.
The Spanish champion and member of the women’s team that won the Trial of Nations, Sandra Gomez, who attended the event with the help of crutches after the injury she suffered in an enduro event, and Alfredo Gomez, junior world champion, were the only representatives of this specialty, since due to air problems, Toni Bou he was unable to travel to Madrid as planned to receive his different awards such as world champion, winner of the Trial of Nations and double champion of Spain. Nor was Laia Sanz, in full preparation for the Dakar, present to collect her award as women’s world champion.
The presence of motocross came with the two national champions, Jonathan Barragán (MXÉlite) and José Luís Martínez (MX2), although despite his absence, reference was also made to the season carried out by the young Jorge Pardo, World Champion in 65cc, to whom Barragán himself dedicated great praise.
Enrique Pardo received his trophy as champion of the Spanish Cup of Quads Q2, while Francesc Cucharrera and David Giménez collected their prizes as champions of the two highest categories of the Spanish Supermotard Championship as they did last year.
Text: RFME
