Jorge Martínez

Who is Jorge Martínez?

Jorge Martínez, nicknamed "Aspar", was one of the most successful motorcycle racers in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history with 22 Grand Prix victories to his name in the 80 cc class and a further 15 wins in the 125 cc class.

Martínez entered his first Grand Prix in 1982. Between 1986 and 1988, he claimed a total of four World Championships in these two categories, three times in the 80cc event and once at 125 cc. In 1988 he achieved the ‘double’, taking both crowns that year. His nickname was Aspar, a Spanish link with the shoe making industry which was given to him as a direct result of his father’s occupation as a cobbler.

After his competitive career had ended in 1997, he went on to create and manage the Mapfre Aspar Racing Team. In the 2010 season, Aspar team rider Nicolás Terol finished in second place in the 125cc class while his teammate Bradley Smith finished fourth, both riding Aprilia RSA 125 motorcycles. Julián Simón finished in second place in the inaugural Moto2 campaign, with teammate Mike Di Meglio finishing in twentieth place on Honda-powered Suter chassis. Aspar rider Héctor Barberá finished in twelfth place in the MotoGP division aboard a Ducati Desmosedici GP10.