You're not interested enough in social media to follow several hundred drivers and teams, but you don't like to miss any of the little stories that animate MotoGP and the other categories? This daily column is made for you, early in the morning, to start the day off right while waiting for more substantial articles. Today, discover Barry Baltus's curse with champagne!
Barry Baltus, a promising young Moto2 rider, recently secured his second podium finish in the intermediate category at the Spanish Grand Prix. However, for the second time in a row, he was unable to open one of the bottles of champagne offered to the three winners on the podium.
The first time was at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, where Barry Baltus secured his first ever Moto2 podium finish by finishing second. However, champagne is not awarded to the top three finishers in Losail due to the country's regulations.
The second time, most recently at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, Barry Baltus returned to the podium for the second time in his Moto2 career, again in second place. Unfortunately, this celebration was overshadowed by a tragic event: the death of the Pope, which led to a more solemn and respectful atmosphere in the paddock and among the teams. As a result, the traditional champagne opening was canceled, depriving Baltus of this first celebratory podium experience.
These two episodes deprived Barry Baltus of a symbolic rite of passage for any Grand Prix driver, but did nothing to dampen his resolve, as he awaited the next opportunity to fully celebrate his success with a well-opened bottle of champagne. In the meantime, the Belgian opened the Prosseco that was handed to him in his box, dousing his team in a less publicized setting.
