Retrospective: Remember Sandro Cortese

Following our retrospective on forgotten champions, some mentioned the name of Sandra Cortese, which was missing from the selection. Indeed, it is true that the German has the perfect profile, because few people remember him these days. However, his career did not end at this Moto3 title, although it remains his main achievement. Let's look at its history.

Born across the Rhine to an Italian father and a German mother in 1990, Alexander Cortese motorcycle competition begins very early. At only nine years old, he is already on his first pocket bikes, soon to be European champion in the discipline. His results in the German IDM championship, 125cc category, are growing Kiefer to sign him full-time for the 2005 season, at 15 years old. This may not be intuitive, but Cortese's arrival goes back that far.

It is rare to see a rookie arrive without previous wild cards. However, on Honda, Sandro adapts and passes the test with flying colors. The Elit – Caffe Latte team, reigning world champion with Thomas Lüthi, focuses on the German, a nationality that is ultimately quite rare in Grands Prix these days, by the way. Alongside the Swiss who is putting his title back on the line, Cortese is suffering somewhat but after all, it is only his second season in 125cc.

There followed a slow progression over two years, until becoming a top 5 subscriber at the end of 2008. Aprilia now equipped the team, and the Italian machines were much more efficient. Above all, it is its regularity which impresses. His style allows him to avoid injuries, and every time he crosses the line, Cortese scores big points without being the fastest.

This profile appeals Aki Ajo, who hired him into its structure in 2009. Derbi suits him perfectly, that’s the trigger. Podium from the start in Qatar, then good results in spades despite a few falls. This 6th place overall was very promising, but he was unable to pass this decisive milestone to assert himself as a title contender in 2010. Sandro was always well placed, but never in a position to clearly win

On the podium at Sachsenring in 2010, behind Marc Marquez and Tomoyoshi Koyama. Photo: Box Repsol

For 2011, the Germanic changes creamery: Return to Aprilia, at Intact – Racing Team Germany. Without a teammate, he is definitely the underdog this season. He won his first career race in Brno, then repeated in Australia. These two successes, accompanied by four other podiums and a pole place him in 4th place in the world championship, behind a certain Maverick Vinales.

To tell the truth, Cortese has only progressed since his arrival in 2005. In the winter of 2011, the disappearance of the 125cc category was on everyone's minds. We will now have to deal with 250cc four-strokes, called Moto3. The hierarchy could well be shaken up, and those who performed well on two-strokes are not guaranteed to confirm on these new machines.

Sandro puts all the chances on his side. He finds Ajo, equipped with official KTMs sponsored by Red Bull. After six races, the suspense no longer exists. Cortese displays unfailing consistency, but this time without leaving the podium, or almost. Maverick Vinales, on FTR Honda, is faster but too many poor performances slow down his progress. He is third, ahead of Luis Salom (Kalex – KTM), who also did not find the solution to stop the German. We're talking five wins, ten more podiums, seven poles and five fastest laps in the race.. Such dominance in the smallest of categories is remarkable.
Worse still: No retirement during the season, with a 6th place for worst ranking (France and Japan, after clashing with a competitor). Hats off. He is 111 points ahead of his pursuer, as a sign for No. 11.

Here at the Sachsenring in 2011. Photo: Neuwieser

Immediately, his move to Moto2 was confirmed. It is Dynavolt Intact GP who takes care of it. The Kalex in the training are on point, even if not at the level of the Pons and MarcVDS machines. The adaptation is very complicated, not to say unsuccessful. He struggles to get into the points, but continues to progress, tirelessly, in 2014. Much better, he grabs the podium in Brno and ranks 9th overall. The years that followed were similar. Slowly, Cortese settled into the soft underbelly, each time with one podium per year but nothing more. It's difficult to claim a MotoGP handlebar when you start to stagnate in the intermediate category.

Moreover, in 2016, he missed the French Grand Prix due to injury : his first career absence, since his debut in 2005. Aged 26, he is no longer improving. The 2017 season, the year when Dynavolt swapped its Kalex for Suter, was the last. He never managed to cross this decisive stage which determines a career. But it is not finished. Always hungry for competition, he entered World Supersport the following season. Immediately, his champion instinct speaks for him. He won the title ahead of Lucas Mahias and Jules Cluzel, always showing exemplary consistency.

Following his momentum, he entered the World Superbike with Yamaha GRT, and is not ridiculous. A season ended in 12th place, with frequent entries in the top 10. The German is back in 2020 within the team Outdo Kawasaki TPR but Portimão, his life turns upside down. Contact with Tati Market in the last lap of the first race sends him into the wall. Upon arrival, the medical staff noted the extent of the damage. Without wasting time, he was taken to the nearest hospital by helicopter and fortunately, the doctors managed to save him from paralysis.

Two years after this terrible accident, two years without running, Cortese announces his retirement, a more than understandable choice. However, we will not forget this crazy 2012 season, and he remains, at the time of writing, the last German to win a title at world level.

Had you forgotten Sandro Cortese? Tell us in the comments!