10The list of Valentino Rossi's rivals is as long as an arm. Sometimes comparison serves the adversary, but that is not always the case. Gibernau, alongside Rossi, was great for a few seasons. Today, let's take a look at Sete's career.
Born in 1972 in Barcelona, the person concerned grew up in a special family. Like many of his compatriots, 'Sete' is not his real first name, and 'Gibernau' his full name. Manuel Gibernau Bultó was literally born on a racing motorcycle. His grandfather is none other than Francesc Xavier Bultó, founder of the legendary companies Montesa and Bultaco. Quickly, Sete became passionate about the track and abandoned the trial areas so dear to the previously mentioned firms.
It was in 1990 that the little one of the family made his debut in the national championship. It should be remembered that at the time, there were not as many Spaniards and it was difficult to find a place. His first world wild cards came two years later. For four seasons, Sete made numerous appearances without ever signing a one-year contract. Until 1996. At Axo Honda Team, the rookie season is difficult in the 250cc category. Strangely, Wayne Rainey in person signs him in 500cc for the following season, even though no results are really convincing!
Repsol triple. Alex Crivillé, Tadayuki Okada and Sete Gibernau at the 1999 Catalan Grand Prix. Photo: Box Repsol
The transition is brutal and rumors are rife. However, acclimatization is pretty good. Even crazier: Repsol Honda, the best team in the world at the moment, hired him to help Doohan. Sete's exponential evolution, a little incomprehensible in fact, does not bear fruit. Certainly, a few podiums are there but nothing more for the official of the winged firm. The year 2000, marked by six blank results, was too many: Repsol separated from the Catalan.
Once again, the good impression given in 1999 (fifth overall) convinced Suzuki, the reigning world champion team, to hire him alongside Kenny Roberts Jr. The Gibernau cat always landed on its feet. It is within this family that his victory counter is unlocked, during the 2001 Valencia Grand Prix. A daring choice of tires on the dryer gave him the advantage over Alex Barros, his rival of the day. His season, finished in ninth position, was punctuated by a good result which assured him a good place in the team the following year. A 2002 exercise that was as nightmarish as possible.
Gibernau can no longer achieve anything with his new four-stroke GSV-R. Eight retirements in 16 races and a 16th place in the championship, more than forty points behind his teammate. In his defense, the Suzuki in question was a long way from the 2000 world champion. Still, Sete left the team to join Honda Gresini. It must be said that the Spanish maintains good relations with Telefónica, a telecommunications giant in Hispanic countries. So, the sponsor follows and a great team is formed.
It is now that the driver we all know really starts his career. During the first Grand Prix of the season, the worst happened. His teammate Daijiro Kato was killed in Japan, an event which considerably strengthened the mentality of Gibernau, a very calm and cultured man. During the following weekend in South Africa, he took pole position and victory with the No. 74 affixed to his traditional No. 15. A beautiful tribute. Sete was going to have the best year of his career, marked by four victories and six other podiums.
It is under these colors that we know Sete Gibernau best. Here at the 2005 British Grand Prix. Photo: Oz
On the RCV, it is easier, more lethal in a fight. Unfortunately, the Y2000K bug stands in its way. Rossi lives on another planet, untouchable in the championship. Despite a deficit of 80 points at the finish, Gibernau finished vice-world champion. 2004 was to be his year. Rossi was going for a new challenge, and the RC211V kept its previous qualities. Once again, the Italian is uncompromising, no matter the bike. New second place accompanied by numerous podiums but too far from Rossi to be remarkable.
That's the whole problem. “The doctor” stifled Gibernau who did not have the patter of a Biaggi or a Capirossi. The two maintained good relations… until Grand Prix of Qatar 2004. For a stupid story of sand on the track, the two get confused. Fate proved Gibernau right, who went on to win the race while Rossi did not cross the line. On arrival, Vale casts a spell on his Spanish rival: “He will never win a race again”. The “Qatar curse” – or “Curse of Qatar” in French – was launched. Perhaps Sete was sensitive to media pressure; he did not escape misfortune.
His career changed dramatically after this race. Jerez 2005 is only the continuation of this dynamic. In the last corner, Rossi wiped his fairing on that of his opposite number, the flying buttress off the track. Obliterated in the gravel, the Spaniard fumes but can do nothing against the Rossi machine. Despite good performances, Gibernau was no longer able to triumph. A sad seventh place in the ranking concludes 2005.
The rest is even less beautiful. The year 2006, marked by injuries, with a stint at Ducati, then retirement at 34. A failed exit from retirement in 2009, then a new experience in MotoE at the age of 47 during the 2019 season. Gibernau may not have been Lorenzo or Stoner, but he gave Valentino Rossi some great confrontations in the early 2000s. Let's not forget it! What memories do you keep of it? Tell us in the comments!
Here in 2009 with Nieto. Photo: Box Repsol
Cover photo: Box Repsol
