Murcia is suddenly producing MotoGP talent like nowhere else—a small region in southeastern Spain is becoming a hub for young talent.
Of the nine Spaniards in the MotoGP field, two come from the Murcia region: Pedro Acosta and Fermin Aldeguer. Both are also among the youngest riders currently competing in the premier class. A new generation is also emerging in the lower classes.
Moto3 talents Maximo Quiles and Alvaro Carpe also come from Murcia. Until now, Ana Carrasco, former Moto3 rider, Supersport 300 world champion and title holder of the Women’s World Championship, was the big name from Murcia.
Now, more young talents from this region are pushing their way to the top of the Motorcycle World Championship. Why is this trend happening? “When Juanfran Guevara and Ana were here, it was pretty hard to imagine that guys from a really small region would make it this far,” Acosta recalls. “Maybe it was a shock at first because of me, and then again when Fermin won his first MotoGP victory. It’s a really good thing for the whole region, for all the guys who want to be like us.“ ”Now they have tangible role models who show that it’s possible. Now there are two of us here in MotoGP, but Carpe is coming too, Quiles is coming too. For all these young riders who are coming out of Murcia, everything good that has happened to us is also good for the region.”
The region of Murcia is located in southeastern Spain on the Mediterranean coast between Valencia and Andalusia and is one of the country’s autonomous communities. It combines dry, barren mountain landscapes with intensively irrigated fruit and vegetable growing areas.
It is best known to tourists for the sunny Costa Calida with its long sandy beaches, mild climate with many sunny days a year, its relatively unspoiled towns, and the lively capital Murcia with its historic center.
Optimal training opportunities for young riders
But the region has also developed into a center with good training opportunities for young motorcycle racers. “I think,” says Aldeguer, “Murcia is now one of the best places for motorcycle racing. More kids have come.”
“For me, it’s really nice to share a podium with Pedro because we’ve spent a lot of time training together. We’ve achieved our dream of reaching the top together. Yes, maybe the relationship isn’t the same anymore, but it’s very difficult to have friends in the paddock.”
“But we don’t have a problem. We’re rivals, we’re competing for the same goal, and that’s it, but it’s nice.“ And with Quiles and Carpe, who finished third and fourth in the Moto3 World Championship as rookies, the next generation of talent is pushing forward. The reason for this is the good conditions in Murcia, as Acosta describes: ”We have everything we need. From my home, I have at least four kart tracks within an hour’s drive.“
”Then I have three motocross tracks and a flat track, as I said, within an hour.” Added to this is the good weather, which means that training opportunities can be taken advantage of almost all year round.
Another factor is the large number of children who are starting motorcycle training and thus pushing each other. “There are many riders around Alicante, Murcia, and Almeria. When you train with guys who are faster than you, you get better,” says Acosta.
“I remember when Fermin and I were kids, we competed in a championship in Valencia. There were a lot of guys there who you see in the World Championship today, like Holgado, Piqueras, and Rueda.”
“It’s no surprise that all these guys compete and train together from an early age. In the end, it’s easier to get to the next level that way, but in Murcia, as I said, the weather is fantastic.“ ”People are super easygoing when you want to go training. In my opinion, there are a lot of people around who want all these kids to make it to the top in this sport,” says Acosta, convinced of the support in his home region.
The proximity of training facilities also makes it easier for parents, as Aldeguer adds: “It’s also very easy for the family because, as a child, you don’t need much time to train when you have to go to school. We had one driving school where we grew up—now there are several.”