Brazil had an important representative in the World Championship in the person of Alex Barros, who played in all categories between 1986 and 2007. Author of 32 podiums including 7 victories, almost all in the premier category, the Brazilian made his name shine his country for twenty years. After his departure, five years passed before the young Eric Granado took over. Unfortunately ousted from the World Cup at the end of 2014, Brazil was no longer represented for three seasons, but that changes in 2018!
Eric Granado is, in fact, making his big return to the World Championship by joining the Forward team in Moto2 alongside Stefano Manzi.
Arriving in the category in 2012, he then moved down to Moto3 the following two years. His three seasons had been complicated and he had only managed to score points twice, his best result being a ninth place at Mugello in 2013.
Released at the end of 2014, he returned to CEV Moto2 to fight again at the front. A judicious choice since in his first season, in 2015, he finished sixth in the championship, just behind Luca Marini, then fourth in 2016, before capturing the title in 2017.
Freshly titled European Moto2 champion, he returns to the World Cup in 2018, more motivated than ever.
The pre-season tests were complicated, however, as he finished 21st, 27th and 25th. But the Brazilian driver is not discouraged, quite the contrary, as he declared: “The winter tests really weren't easy, mainly because of the rain which didn't allow us to complete all the work we had planned. So we will certainly progress in Qatar, with difficulty because we are in the World Cup and all the drivers are very close to each other, but I will give 100%. This winter has been the longest of my life, I can't wait to get back on the slopes! »
With his experience acquired in CEV, Eric Granado could do great things this year and make Brazil shine again. This is, in any case, what we wish for him.
