Aspar Team presents complete Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP lineup in Madrid
The Aspar Team has officially presented their full attack-lineup for the 2012 season, starting in all three classes of the world championshionsip. The team is again decidedly Spanish, field all-Spaniards teams in Moto3 with Alberto Moncayo and Hector Faubel as well as in Moto2 with current 125cc champion Nico Terol and the the first ever Moto2 champion Toni Elias. Also in MotoGP the team enters a Spanish competitor under the new CRT formula with Aleix Espargaro, who’s been with the team before as a replacement rider in 250cc. Only Frenchman Randy De Puniet brings a different passport to the team this year, having already looked fairly competitive at the preseason tests despite the CRT bikes still being quite a bit off the pace.
The MAPFRE Convention Centre in the Moda Shopping Centre in the heart of Madrid saw the official unveiling of the ‘Aspar’ project for 2012. Once again Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ has put together the biggest private structure in the World Championship, with a presence in all three categories: Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP. The presentation was met by huge media interest, as the team and their sponsors enjoyed a special preseason coming-together. The presentation saw the designs of the new bikes uncovered and this year’s rider line-up officially unveiled.
Shortly after 7pm the masters of ceremony Stefanie Przybisch and Mela Chércoles got things underway with a video presentation of the Aspar Team’s line-up in each category, before handing the microphone over to Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’, CEO of the Aspar Team, who took the opportunity to recognise the enormous effort made by the team’s sponsors, who have reinforced their commitment with the goal of repeating past success.
Following the video and opening speech by Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ each of the three Aspar Team structures was explained in detail. A video was shown of the Moto3 riders, who will again enjoy the backing of BANKIA as their main sponsor. The bank’s Managing Director Mr Francisco Verdú took the microphone, joined on stage by Héctor Faubel and Alberto Moncayo – the two riders aiming to defend the minor category title for the team on the new KTM/Kalex Moto3 bike. BANKIA, as it is now, and BANCAJA prior to that, has sponsored the Aspar Team for the past eight years, establishing the brand as a point of reference within the World Championship.
Last but by no means least came the presentation of the MAPFRE Aspar Team’s Moto2 line-up, introduced by the President of MAPFRE FAMILIAR AND MAPFRE VIDA, Mr Ignacio Baeza. The MAPFRE Aspar Team lines up two World Champions in the shape of Nico Terol and Toni Elías and will again be using Suter machinery. The Spanish insurance company has been supporting the Aspar Team for six successful years now.
With the speeches, presentations and videos, which took around one hour, completed there was time for the scores of press to take a ‘family photo’, including every member of the Aspar Team.
Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’: “It makes me proud to be back here in Madrid for another year, presenting the Aspar Team. Each season we set ourselves bigger goals and each season we seem to reach our objectives. Last year we won the 125cc World Championship again and I am pleased to see that we continue to grow from the foundations of a great team. It is also nice to see such longstanding relationships with our main sponsors, which shows that every member of the family is happy: BANKIA, MAPFRE and all the others who we have shared so much success with in the past. Individuals and companies have shown great faith in this project and without them it wouldn’t be possible so I have to thank them for the effort they make to be at our side. This year we will also have the support of POWER ELECTRONICS, a multinational company from Valencia, who are showing blind faith in our potential. I would like to welcome them and assure them that we will be doing all we can to provide the best possible results. I hope this new relationship can be as enduring as those we enjoy with our other sponsors. In Moto3 we have the challenge of being the best again whilst in Moto2 we will have two World Champions fighting at the front and in MotoGP the task is also huge: to be the best CRT team in the world.”
Aleix Espargaró: “I am counting down the hours for the season to start and an event like today’s just gives you that feeling that it’s close. Last week we unveiled the Aspar Team MotoGP project in Valencia and here we are again for Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP together in Madrid. It was an interesting and enjoyable presentation with an incredible amount of media interest, which I expected. Once again the Aspar Team have put together a consistent squad of riders with the opportunity to succeed in every category. Today we got an idea of the size of this team now and I want to thank every member for the effort they put into making it possible.
Nico Terol: “I have been looking forward to this presentation because it means that the season is just around the corner and I can’t wait for the racing to start. We have a strong line-up in all three categories but to be honest I wouldn’t expect anything less because Jorge always goes for the best, whether it is riders or machinery. It is an honour for me to remain with the MAPFRE Aspar Team, where step by step I am fulfilling my dreams. Last year I was World Champion and this year I have stepped up a class. I am joined by a team-mate with a lot of experience and I suppose for MAPFRE it is important to have two World Champions in their line-up. I think this is a very exciting project.”
Toni Elías: “I am happy and excited to be rejoining a winning team and I am sure we can achieve a lot together this season. The MAPFRE Aspar Team is a very good technical outfit and my relationship with them on every level is longstanding. I still have great friends here from when I last rode for this team and I feel wanted and happy here, so I would like to thank Jorge and all the sponsors for giving me this opportunity. The MAPFRE Aspar Team has top level backing so I am going to give everything I have to ensure that they are happy with their return on Toni Elías.”
Héctor Faubel: “Today we’ve been able to bring the whole Aspar Team family and sponsors together. Once again Jorge has put together a super competitive team with a chance of winning everything. I am extremely satisfied to be forming part of this project once again. It will be a long season as always and no doubt the key will be consistency so our goal is to be up there in every race. We have the structure, the means, the sponsors and it is down to us to work hard with the same spirit we have shown up to now. Like every year the presentation has been fun for everybody so now I hope we can entertain them just as much with our results.”
Alberto Moncayo: “To me the BANKIA Aspar Team is a winning team and they have proved that over many seasons. It is the team every rider hopes to join and it is the ideal place to set new objectives. I am very proud to be wearing the colours of BANKIA Aspar Team. It makes me feel very relaxed ahead of the new season and I am going to be giving it my best shot. I know that I have a fantastic technical staff behind me and great people too, so I just want to thank the BANKIA Aspar Team for the opportunity and also the sponsors for ensuring this project is able to consistently produce. My objective this season is to pay back their faith with the best possible results.”
Source: Team Aspar
