Ricardo Tormo


Ricardo Tormo Blaya was a Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.

Biography

Tormo was born in the Spanish province of Valencia, in Ayacor, which is a small village dependant on Canals. When he was 8, his family moved into the center of Canals. Tormo won the FIM 50cc world championship as a member of the Bultaco factory racing team. He repeated as 50cc world champion in on a privately backed Bultaco. He was also a three-time 50cc Spanish national champion and a four-time 125cc national champion. His career was closely linked to that of Ángel Nieto, who was both a teammate and rival of Tormo.
In 1983, together with Jorge “Aspar” Martínez, Tormo signed with the Derbi factory to compete for the 1984 world championship in the new 80cc category. Tormo suffered an engine failure at the first race of the year at Misano. The second race of the season was to be held at Spain's Jarama Circuit.
At that time, there were only two official circuits in Spain, one in Jarama and the other in Calafat. The team planned test rides before the race, but both circuits were already booked, forcing them to practice in Martorelles. This region of Barcelona was an industrial park near the Derbi factory. The team occasionally had test runs in this area, blocking off the roads to ensure that no cars would interfere with the racers. However, during a practice prior to the Spanish Grand Prix, a vehicle gained access to the area from one of the team's assistants who was supposed to have blocked off all of the roads. Tragically, Tormo, who was testing a new racing suit, hit the car and shattered his right leg. The accident marked the end of his racing career and the beginning of a countless series of operations.
In 1994, Tormo received Valencia's highest honor when he was given the Valencian Community's High Distinction award. In collaboration with the journalist Paco Desamparados, an autobiography was published, entitled "Yo Ricardo. Una vida por y para la moto".. On December 27, 1998, Tormo died from leukemia, which he had been battling for many years. In his honor, Valencia's racetrack was renamed the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo.

Images

Complete Grand Prix motorcycle racing results

Points system from 1969 to 1987:
Position12345678910
Points1512108654321


YearClassBike1234567891011121314PosPtsWins
197350ccDerbiGER
-		NAT
-		YUG
-		NED
-		BEL
-		SWE
-		ESP
10		28th10
197650ccKreidlerFRA
-		NAT
-		NED
-		BEL
-		SWE
-		FIN
-		GER
-		ESP
6		19th50
197750ccBultacoGER
11		NAT
2		ESP
3		YUG
2		NED
2		BEL
4		SWE
1		3rd691
197850ccBultacoESP
2		NAT
1		NED
2		BEL
1		GER
1		CZE
1		YUG
1		1st995
1978125ccBultacoVEN
-		ESP
-		AUT
10		FRA
Ret		NAT
-		NED
-		BEL
-		SWE
-		FIN
-		GBR
-		GER
-		YUG
-		30th10
197950ccBultacoGER
Ret		NAT
-		ESP
-		YUG
5		NED
Ret		BEL
-		FRA
Ret		17th60
1979125ccBultacoVEN
-		AUT
NC		GER
Ret		NAT
-		ESP
-		YUG
Ret		NED
2		BEL
-		SWE
Ret		FIN
1		GBR
12		CZE
Ret		FRA
2		7th391
198050ccKreidler Van VeenNAT
Ret		ESP
5		YUG
1		NED
1		BEL
Ret		GER
Ret		4th362
1980125ccMBANAT
-		ESP
5		FRA
-		YUG
Ret		NED
6		BEL
9		FIN
-		GBR
-		CZE
-		GER
Ret		12th130
198150ccMotul BultacoGER
Ret		NAT
1		ESP
1		YUG
1		NED
1		BEL
1		RSM
1		CZE
-		1st906
1981125ccSanveneroARG
12		AUT
-		GER
Ret		NAT
-		FRA
-		ESP
DNQ		YUG
-		NED
8		RSM
4		GBR
9		FIN
4		SWE
1		CZE
-		8th361
198250ccMotul BultacoESP
Ret		NAT
2		NED
3		YUG
3		RSM
-		GER
4		4th400
1982125ccSanveneroARG
2		AUT
Ret		FRA
WD		ESP
8		NAT
Ret		NED
5		BEL
1		YUG
Ret		GBR
2		SWE
Ret		FIN
Ret		CZE
3		5th521
198350ccGarelliFRA
-		NAT
-		GER
-		ESP
-		YUG
Ret		NED
3		RSM
1		7th251
1983125ccMBAFRA
1		NAT
4		GER
Ret		ESP
10		AUT
11		YUG
Ret		NED
2		BEL
3		GBR
Ret		SWE
5		RSM
Ret		5th521
198480ccDerbiNAT
Ret		ESP
-		AUT
-		GER
-		YUG
-		NED
-		BEL
-		RSM
-		-00