This may have gone unnoticed by MotoGP enthusiasts, but 2023 entry lists published yesterday meant the disappearance of Raúl Romero's Avintia Racing structure.
However, Avintia Racing has experienced the pinnacle of motorcycling competition, appearing for a time in MotoGP and welcoming numerous world champions, such as Toni Elías, Maverick Viñales, Johann Zarco, Mike Di Meglio, Tito Rabat or Enea Bastianini.
But the team, which has always juggled financial difficulties and which is participating this weekend in its last race under its QJ Motor Avintia Racing Team colors in Moto3 with the Italians Elia Bartolini et Nicola Carraro, throws in the towel for the 2023 season.
It is always sad to see a team forced to give up the world championship, and here is the explanatory press release issued by the Spanish team.
« The adventure of Raúl Romero's team in the World Speed Championship began in 2000 in the 125cc category under the name By Queroseno Racing and, for 23 seasons, the Spanish structure has been a reference in the World Championship, training great pilots and participating in all categories. But everything comes to an end and, with great sadness, the team ends its career in the World Championship and will compete in its last race this weekend in Valencia.
After the difficult decision to leave the premier category of MotoGP at the end of 2021, this season the Esponsorama team participated in Moto3, but the championship is more and more demanding, there are more and more races and the wear and tear Lack of motivation led to the team making the difficult decision to leave the championship.
But the mark it leaves on the MotoGP World Championship and also on the CEV will be very difficult to erase. Her successes in the Spanish Speed Championship were not long in coming and, in the World Championship, after her debut in 125, she made the jump to the “quarter liter” in 2001. She then participated in both categories, becoming one of the teams with the best beginner school in the championship. The blue and white colors have always been his trademark and Raúl Romero's structure has seen young riders pass through who have gone on to become great champions. Herri Torrontegui, Agustín Escobar, Leon Haslam, Stefan Bradl, Scott Redding, Tito Rabat, Pablo Nieto, Álex Debón, Eugene Laverty, Hiroshi Aoyama, Kenny Noyes, Ivan Silva, Enrique Rocamora, David De Gea, Julián Simón, Héctor Barberá, Toni Elías, Loris Baz, Aleix Espargaró, Luis Salom, Maverick Viñales, Miguel Oliveira, Efrén Vázquez, Niccolò Antonelli, Dani Rivas, Mike Di Meglio, Johan Zarco, Enea Bastianini… And many others were part of the family during their stay in the championship.
Not only riders, but also great technicians and mechanics have been trained in the team over the years, many of them are still active in the official teams of the three categories.
Among the milestones left in history at the sporting level is Scott Redding's victory in the 2008 British Grand Prix, then the youngest in history to have won it. Maverick Viñales was also the youngest Spaniard to achieve a victory in the world championship and although these records have since been surpassed, the team has always made known its desire to improve and its great competitiveness. Another great achievement was winning the Open World Championship in the MotoGP category in 2015 with Héctor Barberá on a Ducati.
But also in the technical section, they were the protagonists in putting the first Moto2 in the history of the championship on track or in the development of the first Moto3 Honda with the chassis manufacturer FTR.
We cannot say goodbye without thanking all the sponsors who have accompanied us throughout these 23 seasons in the MotoGP World Championship. In the first place, Avintia, which over the last decade has helped the team make the leap in quality necessary to approach the premier category with guarantees of success. The Spanish company has been more than a sponsor in recent years and has been with the team until the end. But we also cannot forget Blusens, whose support and dynamism made the team grow when it began to fight for honorable results. With the Galician firm came the first podiums and victories in the 125 and 250 categories and their contribution was essential. But there have been many others, the Pacha group, Galfer, J.Juan, Blumaq, Reale Seguros, Air Europa, Conservas Dani, Transantolín, Cañizos Faura, ITR, Remeco, Nascor… And many others who have always supported a team with humble origins, which reached the top through effort and perseverance. Without a doubt the keys to success in making our dreams come true.
We just want to thank this sport, and Dorna in particular, for everything it has given us during these wonderful years.
Thanks a lot and see you soon ! »
