RICARDO TORMO

El gran «Ricardet» empezó a correr con la oposición de su familia, que no sabia que habían criado a un genio de la velocidad: en su primera carrera como piloto federado, en su tierra, en 1971, queda segundo. En el 73, en la siguiente carrera que hace, como Junior en 75cc, gana. En el 73 llega al mundial, donde consigue terminar décimo en alguna carrera. En el 78, como piloto oficial Bultaco, tras años siendo una de las figuras de la categoría, consigue el ansiado titulo mundial ganando cinco de las siete carreras disputadas. A este título seguiría un segundo campeonato del mundo, con la misma moto pero ya sin el apoyo de la fábrica, en 1981.

Fichó para liderar el equipo Derbi la temporada del 84, donde iba a ser acompañado por la entonces joven promesa Jorge Martínez «Aspar». Iban a llevar la nueva 80cc, la categoría que desde ese momento iba a sustituir a las 50cc. En la primera carrera de la temporada rompe el motor. Y entre esta y la siguiente, probando la Derbi 80 en el polígono industrial donde estaba Derbi, choca contra un coche que se salta un ceda el paso. Un grave accidente en el que se destrozó la pierna derecha, lo que acabó con su carrera deportiva.

 

 

The great «Ricardet» began racing against his family’s wishes, as they didn’t know they had raised a speed genius. In his first race as a licensed rider in his homeland in 1971, he finished second. In 1973, in his next race, competing as a Junior in the 75cc category, he won. By 1973, he had made it to the World Championship, where he managed to finish tenth in some races. In 1978, as an official Bultaco rider and after years as one of the top competitors in the category, he achieved the coveted world title by winning five out of the seven races held. This title was followed by a second World Championship, with the same bike but without factory support, in 1981.

He signed to lead the Derbi team for the 1984 season, where he was to be joined by the young rising star Jorge Martínez «Aspar.» They were set to ride the new 80cc bike, the category that was replacing the 50cc class from that moment on. In the first race of the season, his engine failed. Between this race and the next, while testing the Derbi 80 in the industrial park where Derbi was located, he collided with a car that ran a yield sign. It was a serious accident in which he shattered his right leg, bringing his racing career to an end.