Once again, following the World Cup, we present another fantasy. Some of you will already know it, others won’t… At first glance it seems like something crazy straight out of a movie: several drivers chasing a giant ball while maneuvering on their motorcycles on a playing field.
However, this sport has existed for decades, has official championships and continues to bring together thousands of fans in different parts of the old continent. Is called Motoball and it is considered one of the most peculiar and spectacular disciplines in the world of motorsport.
He Motoball It emerged in Europe during the 1920s, at a time when motorcycles were beginning to become popular and new forms of competition appeared. What began as a curious exhibition ended up evolving into a discipline with its own regulations, specialized clubs and national and international competitions.
Without a doubt, France played a fundamental role in its development and even today it is one of the countries where this sport maintains the greatest following. It also has an important tradition in Germany and several Eastern European countries, where some leagues continue to attract considerable audiences.
Although the presence of motorcycles completely changes the spectacle, the essence of the game is the same as that of traditional football. Two teams compete to put the ball into the rival goal and score more goals than the opponent before the match ends. It seems easy, right?
Each team is made up of 4 drivers and a goalkeeper. The latter is the only member of the team who plays on foot, defending the goal in a similar way to that of a futsal goalkeeper. The matches are divided into several periods of play and take place on fields adapted to withstand the constant passage of motorcycles, braking and changes of direction. By the way, the matches are played on fields of similar dimensions to those of football.
One of the details that most surprises those who discover the Motoball for the first time it is the size of the ball. Obviously, far from the ball used in conventional soccer, here a large one is used, close to the 40cm in diameter. Thus, its size facilitates control by the riders and prevents the motorcycles from accidentally passing over it during plays.
Thanks to this feature, players can push, protect and direct the ball with a combination of motorcycle and leg movements, generating truly striking and spectacular actions.
Motoball bikes are also special
As we can all imagine, the machines used in Motoball They are not stock motorcycles taken directly from the dealership. These are models modified specifically for this modality. They usually use engines of up to 250 cc and have elements designed to withstand the harsh treatment of competition. In addition, they incorporate additional protections that help both the safety of the drivers and the control of the ball during the game.
Watching a game from the stands can give the impression that the riders are simply pushing a ball with their motorcycle. But the reality is quite different. Players must coordinate acceleration, balance, braking and ball control simultaneously. All while observing the position of their teammates, avoiding rivals and looking for spaces to attack. Is it starting to get complicated, or not?
Much of the appeal of Motoball lies precisely in its dynamism. Transitions are quick, plays constantly change direction, and attacks can develop in a matter of seconds. The pilots reach considerable speeds for a sport contested in a relatively small space, which turns each offensive action into a mix of precision and reflexes. Added to this is the noise of the engines, which provides a completely different atmosphere than any other team sport.
An almost unknown discipline in Spain
Although Spain had a certain presence in the history of Motoball and even had teams that participated in European competitions, the modality never managed to consolidate itself stably within the national sports panorama. Currently its presence is testimonial, especially when compared to countries where the Motoball It is still part of the 2-wheel culture. However, the Internet has contributed to more and more fans discovering this curious specialty thanks to videos that often go viral due to the unusual images.
He Motoball It represents a combination that, on paper, seems impossible: mixing football and motorcycling in the same competition. However, after almost 100 years of history, it has proven that the formula works. It may never reach the impact of other motorsport disciplines, but it remains one of those sports capable of surprising even those who think they have seen it all. By the way, it is recognized by the FIMwith everything that entails.
