Retro: The story of a legendary pilot who was imprisoned

Today's theme is special. We are going to return to the atypical story of Joan Garriga, sometimes an inspiring legend, sometimes a gangster.

1979. In Spain, few runners have distinguished themselves at the highest level.Only Ángel Nieto truly stood out, and the rest of the field was rather empty. However, a new wave was emerging. Born in Barcelona in 1963, Joan won three consecutive Spanish championships before trying his luck in the world championship in 1984. Antonio Cobas, another Spanish rider, signed him to his team in the 250cc class, without much success. Alongside him was another representative of this golden generation: Site Pons.

 

 

Four years older, Sito also makes his full-time debut, but seems a cut above. Cobas had already entered him several times for wild cards, and knew the extent of his protégé's talent. Garriga, after a poor year in 1985 and 1986 in 500cc with Cagiva, drops back down to 250cc for Ducados-Yamaha.

He has something to prove. In Jerez, it's a moment of liberation. The Catalan climbs onto the podium for the first timeFollowing a mid-season injury, Joan returned stronger in Portugal with a second place finish, along with pole position and the fastest lap in the race.

Sito Pons, riding for the rival Campsa-Honda team, is performing well. Already runner-up in 1986, the other Catalan – yet another one – third figure of the general 1987The two men, from the same town and longtime acquaintances, didn't particularly like each other. In 1988, the long-awaited battle finally began. On a grid brimming with talent (Jacques Cornu, Luca Cadalora, an veteran Anton Mang, Dominique Sarron, Jean-Philippe Ruggia…), Two Barcelonans dominate the sport.

Joan makes a timid start and isn't even considered among the favorites after the first two matches.Mang wins the last Grand Prix of his career in Japan, the traditional opening round, followed by Jim Filice's surprise victory in the USA. Pons, consistently on the podium and winner at Jarama, shows no signs of slowing down.

In the following race at Jerez, Pons made a mistake and allowed his rival to triumph. It was the first career victory for our hero of the day, arriving at just the right time. Garriga the incisive, the swift, the attacker against Pons the cerebralBy the end of the fifth meeting, the stage is set. This contest is captivating the crowds, which are growing in number across the Iberian Peninsula.

The two men must, however, let themselves be defeated Dominique Sarron and Luca Cadalora in Italy and then Germany, but without dropping off the podium. Garriga's podium finish in Austria followed by a victory at Assen. Two consecutive triumphs for Pons in Belgium and Yugoslavia. It's a boxing match, the two Barcelona players are trading blows.

 

 

Jacques Cornu discreetly insinuates himself and takes advantage of the war to seize the prize at Le Mans.This is the seventh different winner in eleven weekends. We are in the golden age of the 250cc. Incredibly, neither contender has made a single mistake. Everything will come down to the final round in Brazil.

On the Goiânia circuit, which has returned this year, all eyes are on the 250cc class. It's the only title yet to be decided. From the start, Sito Pons latches onto the leading group, while Garriga is held up at the back. The more laps that pass, the more unbearable the wait becomes. Pons is well positioned, on the podium, but doesn't seem able to catch a very strong Dominique Sarron. Garriga has finally managed to shake off Helmut Bradl, Cardús, and Ruggia. Five seconds behind, the pack has given up hope. It's over. Pons is crowned world champion by just 10 points.

An exceptional season, legendary in many ways. If she gave a glimpse of a great future for Joan Garriga, it was nothing of the sortThe following year, he couldn't regain his form and didn't achieve any podium finishes, unlike his rival who secured his second world title. Three years in the 500cc class with Ducati-Yamaha followed. These were marked by encouraging results and a podium finish at Donington in 1992. But that was all. One year in Superbike later, and then he was gone.

A dark affair of drug trafficking and weapons carrying occurred in 1998. Garriga, loved or hated, had left no one indifferent during his eight-year career. This does not count against the law. The penalty is simple: two years in prison.

The Spaniard died in 2015 following a road accident.This news saddened the entire paddock, as he had been such a pioneer and influential figure for the new generation of Spanish riders who now fill the grids. We leave you with this statement from Jorge Lorenzo. pilot MotoGP no less legendary.

"It's very sad, because he was one of the legendary riders in the history of Spanish motorcycling. I never met him, but I heard a lot about him, especially from my father who was a big fan of his races"