At 40, Albert Valera, a discreet but formidable Catalan, has become a key figure in MotoGP, orchestrating the careers of Jorge Martin, Pedro Acosta, and Aleix Espargaró. Martin's desire to leave Aprilia, revealed by Motorsport.com on May 12, 2025, and speculation surrounding Acosta's early departure from financially crisis-hit KTM, have put Valera in the spotlight. Nicknamed "the agent of the impossible," he could shake up the rider market for 2026 thanks to his strategic flair and mastery of contract clauses.
Valera had never considered becoming a manager. In 2012, while employed at Johnson & Johnson with plans to emigrate to Australia, he was approached by Jorge Lorenzo through their mutual friend, Ricky Cardus, operator of Rocco's Ranch near Montmeló. “ I had a good relationship with Albert. He always seemed to me to be very intelligent, with remarkable clarity and precision. ", entrusts Lorenzo à Motorsport-total. At a dinner in Barcelona, Lorenzo offers to manage his career. Valera accepts, abandoning his MBA plans. That year, Lorenzo wins his second MotoGP title with Yamaha , and Valera negotiates a tense extension with Lynn Jarvis in Assen.
Valera insists: money is not his priority. " Albert is honest, he does not act out of financial interest. », testifies Lorenzo, highlighting a below-average commission despite the 25 million euros negotiated for his 2017-2018 Ducati contract. Living in Andorra, Valera prioritizes the performance of its drivers. My job is to create the best possible scenario for them " he says. This approach has attracted Martin (2014) I will espargaro (2013) and Acosta, forming an explosive trio managed by his company, Playmaker, supported by experts like Marc Balsells.
Albert Valera: “ My job is to create the best possible scenario for my drivers. »
Valera has built a reputation for freeing its pilots from complex contracts. In 2020, it exploited a clause linked to the pandemic schedule delay to extract Martin from KTM, placing him at Pramac Ducati in 2021. A similar clause threatens today Aprilia, which disputes its validity due to the absence of Martin due to injuries, the last of which was in Qatar. I understand Aprilia's dissatisfaction, as was KTM's at the time. ", admits Valera, while defending his choices. Honda, with a potentially free factory handlebar (Marini at the end of his contract), would be Martin's preferred destination.
To Acosta, Valera examines the alternatives in the face of the setbacks of KTM. " Pedro deserves the best bike " he insists, not ruling out an early departure despite a contract until 2026 without a performance clause. Valentino Rossi, admiring Acosta as the "anti-Marquez", could welcome him at home VR46 Ducati in 2026, replacing Franco Morbidelli. But Valera remains cautious: " nothing is formalized, we remain focused on KTM. » A transfer to Hondaas an Martin, is also possible if KTM collapses.
Albert Valera juggles between diplomacy and audacity, aware of the tensions it arouses. I don't let differences become personal. " he insists. With Martin potentially at Honda et Acosta courted by VR46, he could redesign the 2026 grid. Carmelo Ezpeleta, annoyed by the case Martin-Aprilia, fears a domino effect, but Valera, with his experience with Lorenzo, remains unperturbed. Silverstone could reveal new twists, confirming its role as master of the transfer window.
