The Aspar team is renamed 'Angel Nieto Team' in homage to the late '12 +1' world champion, former rival and mentor of 'Aspar' Jorge Martinez.
Additionally, Angel's son Gelete will join as team principal for 2018.
Aspar's racing activities range from the Spanish Championship and the Moto3 Junior World Championship to the Moto3 and MotoGP World Championships.
Gelete Nieto returns to the place he called home for several years as he takes the reins of the new Ángel Nieto Team, an exciting project that covers all levels of motorcycle racing, from the Spanish Championship and Moto3 Junior World Championship at the elite stage of the Moto3 and MotoGP World Championships.
» Ángel Nieto is synonymous with motorcycle racing, a sport that has given him so much and to which he has given so much in return. Motorcycle racing is what it is in Spain thanks to the man who laid the first stone and we want to pay tribute to this team by renaming the team Ángel Nieto “ , explained Jorge Martínez “Aspar”, Nieto’s great rival on the track and great friend off it.
With the Ángel Nieto Team led by Gelete, Nieto's eldest son, Jorge Martínez "Aspar", a four-time world champion, will continue to pay tribute to his compatriot.
» You always learned so much from being around him. Ángel helped so many people, me among others, and he was an important part of my life, as were his sons Gelete and Pablo, and his nephew Fonsi. Ángel was particularly excited about this whole project. He trusted me to give Gelete his racing debut and he told me: “I know that with you he will learn.” To be able to pay tribute to his memory and continue with this project in the hands of his eldest son, who was one of the first to ride for my team, gives me enormous pride. “
Gelete Nieto raced with Aspar from 1993 to 1997, achieving a victory in the European Championship in Barcelona and another in the Spanish Championship in Jerez, as well as 28 Grand Prix appearances.
“2016 was his 50th season in the World Championship and I'm sure he would have loved to be there for a few more... Motorcycles were his way of life and through this team we will ensure that he stays in touch with his great passion. »
Gelete was the first of the Nieto family to race in the team led by Jorge Martínez “Aspar”, soon followed by his brother Pablo and his cousin Fonsi. The trio, along with Ángel Nieto, were part of a team that enjoyed some of their best moments together, with standout moments including Pablo's victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix in 2003 and Fonsi's second place in 2002.
Jorge Martínez “Aspar” added that Angel Nieto “was the reason why so many Spaniards, including myself, his sons and so many others, wanted to dedicate our lives to racing and became champions of our passion. Thanks to him, we have the best fans in the world. Ángel will live forever, he will never leave our hearts and with this gesture he will be even more present in our minds, if that were possible, as we continue to produce champions and keep the flame of our passion for this sport alive. “
The new world championship of 80 cc (i) receives the congratulations of our other title and the championship of Spanish motorcycling (d).
