Emilio Alzamora wasn't just a Grand Prix rider. He also became one of the most influential talent scouts in modern motorcycling history, alongside the Marquez brothers. The 125cc World Champion in 1999 without winning a single race—a rare feat—he went on to influence an entire generation of riders with his keen eye and mentoring role.
Retired in 2003 after a final season shared with two future legends — Dani Pedrosa et Jorge Lorenzo —, Alzamora confides to Motorbike Magazine his admiration for the latter: “ What I want to emphasize about Jorge is that when he arrived at the World Championship, I immediately detected in him an exceptional talent »
He particularly remembers the precocity of the Majorcan: " Jorge had excellent cornering skills from a very young age; it was his talent, his strong point.. So Jorge was a kid who knew from the beginning that he would be the great champion that he is. »
As soon as I got off the motorcycle, alzamora turns to the detection and training of young pilots. Its first success? The RACC program, with a duo of brothers who are now well known:
« My first memory is the RACC project. With the Espargaró brothers, who participated in the Catalan Championship, Pol and Aleix Espargaró in the Spanish Championship. I have excellent memories of it, because this first project allowed us to win the Spanish Championship and allowed Aleix Espargaro to participate in the World Championship with a good team »
It was in 2004 that a very young pilot from Cervera caught his attention: Marc Marquez... "We saw a young man stand out, from Cervera, and which was very small »
But what is striking alzamora, it's something else: " What struck Marc was that he was an extremely mature boy for his young age. He was very mature and very courageous, but he had a handicap: he was very, very small. So, riding a 125cc was difficult for him, and he had to be very careful on the motorcycle »
« Marc Marquez needed a change of scenery after everything he had been through since his injury. »
For alzamora, which really sets it apart Marc Marquez, it's not just talent, but the obsession with the summit:
« You can have a lot of talent, and some drivers are very fast. But without the effort, the sacrifice, the perseverance, the mental strength that he possesses and the courage, above average, this is what allows Marc to remain as he has been for twenty-five years »
With Marc and his brother Alex, alzamora has seen it all: the titles, the injuries, the triumphs. Marc and Alex have always been very polite and humble, and we haven't encountered any major problems »
But the separation came after the serious injury of Marc in 2020:
« It was a natural and logical decisionIn life, everything has its time. I understood perfectly what they needed, especially Marc, to get a change of scenery after everything he had been through since his injury. »
And despite the end of their collaboration, the Catalan remains immensely proud:
« The most important thing is to see him today, to see how successful he is. To see the two brothers leading the way in MotoGP. For me, it was a dream come true, even though I'm no longer with them. I am very happy for them and I am sure that this year the world championship will be played between them »
Behind the stars who shine in the spotlight, there are those who believed in them before anyone else. Emilio Alzamora is one of them. A discreet champion, but whose imprint on MotoGP is indelible.
