More than 400 guests attended the celebration of 25th anniversary of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, which recently took place on the home straight of the Cheste circuit. There, in an event presented by Víctor Lluch, a tour of the 14 curves of the circuit, to recognize the work of all the people and entities that have been key in the history of the circuit Since that month of September 1999when it was inaugurated with the first Valencian Community motorcycling Grand Prix.
Among the award winners are Jorge Martínez “Aspar” and Adrián Campos, two legends of Valencian motor sport. Also MotoGP rider Pedro Acosta and F1 Academy rider Nerea Martí, as well as a joint recognition to the five Valencian motorcycling world champions: Ricardo Tormo, “Aspar”, Champi Herreros, Nico Terol, Jaume Masià and Héctor Garzó.
Ricardo Tormo Circuit, a world reference for speed
As regards organisations, honours were paid to Dorna, the company that manages the rights to the MotoGP world championship, which is also celebrating its 75th anniversary this year; the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation and the Royal Spanish Motorcycle Federation; and the oil company Repsol. Also honoured were the Valencia Provincial Council, the Civil Guard and the National Police of the Valencian Community.
We also wanted to highlight the work of those people who make it possible for races to be held every weekend in the Ricardo Tormo Circuit: the circuit’s medical services and the track marshals. And finally, Nacho Santos, the voice of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, was awarded. The event included the participation of Luis CerveraDirector General of Sport and President of the Board of Directors, who wanted to highlight the importance of Cheste’s infrastructure:
“The Circuit is synonymous with success in the organisation of events, success in the development of the sports training of countless riders, success in design by building a novel infrastructure in which a large stadium surrounds the track and, most importantly, success with the public with more than one hundred thousand MotoGP fans who accompany us every year to put an end to the world motorcycle championship.”
“We are located in the largest sports facility in the Valencian Community, home of one of the most multitudinous sporting events in the world, the Valencian Grand Prix and the motor home of all Valencians, lovers of two and four wheels. We have been promoting sporting events for many years, welcoming thousands of loyal fans, accrediting national and international press, collaborating with large and small companies, promoters and drivers. To each and every one of you who have made and will continue to make this great circuit possible, thank you.”added the director of the Circuit, Nicolás Collado.
The president of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazónhas stated that this “will fight to ensure that the Ricardo Tormo Circuit remains on the MotoGP calendar from 2026”. This was pointed out during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Cheste circuit. In this regard, he pointed out that the renewal of the Valencian Community Grand Prix, whose contract expires in 2026, is in progress. “full negotiation phase” between the Community and Dorna, organizer of the motorcycle world championship and “It is not easy because there is a lot of competition with new circuits” but “We have an unbeatable weapon, which is our fans, our loyalty” and has indicated that he hopes that “Sooner rather than later we can give the great news that the fans have proven, deserve and need.”
Thus, he pointed out that “We cannot allow ourselves to take even one step backwards” and has been optimistic and hopeful that “everything goes well” and the Valencian Community Grand Prix continues to be an unmissable event in the world of motorsports. The president has highlighted the value of the fans as a fundamental part of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit because, “The hearts of the people of Valencia, with the motor, the Grand Prix and the Circuit, have grown.”
Carlos Mazón has shown that “Anyone who doubts the benefits of the commitment made by the Generalitat 25 years ago and which we maintain and want to maintain over time, is mistaken” and has underlined the Ricardo Tormo Circuit and the Grand Prix as one of the hallmarks of the region. He also had a few words of thanks to “all the people who made it possible and who dreamed it.”
During the event, the work of key people and entities for the Ricardo Tormo Circuit During his 25-year career, he has worked as: Jorge Martínez Aspar; Carmelo Ezpeleta; the commissioners, track personnel, and medical team; the Civil Guard, Traffic, Security Forces and the National Police Unit assigned to the Valencian Community, the Specialized Center for Motor Sports Development and Adrián Campos.
Also to the MotoClub de Cheste on behalf of the fans; Pedro Acosta, Repsol, Valencia Provincial Council, the Automobile and Motorcycling Federations and the High Council of Sports, the media and the Valencian drivers who are world champions in motorcycling, to whom the president has conveyed his congratulations for “contribute to making the history of the Cheste track greater.”
Since the inauguration of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit On September 19, 1999, on the occasion of the celebration of the Grand Prix of the Valencian Community, more than 8.5 million people have passed through the stands of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit and more than 400 race weekends have been held.
