JEREZ de la Frontera's MotoGP circuit will be named after the late sporting legend Ángel Nieto, who died in hospital aged 70 on Thursday night from head injuries caused by a quad crash in Ibiza.
Although the record-breaking motorcycle race rider was born in Zamora, grew up in Madrid and spent most of his life in Barcelona before retiring to Ibiza, he always said the Cádiz-province circuit was his favourite.
And in fact, the Jerez venue is considered the 'cathedral of motor sports' by competitors of all nationalities.
Jerez's mayoress Mamén Sánchez Díaz contacted Ángel's family to ask permission to rebaptise the circuit after the rider who won 13 world championships – or 12+1, as Ángel himself, superstitiously, said – and this permission was granted with pleasure.
The announcement was made after the minute's silence held for Nieto at the Brno Grand Prix in the Czech Republic yesterday (Sunday) – won by Spain's Marc Márquez, who dedicated a thumbs-up to 'heaven' in tribute to the hero as he crossed the finishing line.
It was accompanied by a giant banner reading: “Gracias, maestro,” and a huge photograph of Nieto showing him with his one-time fellow rider Jorge Martínez 'Aspar' and team Dorna Sports leader Carmelo Ezpeleta.
'Aspar' had flown from Brno to Ibiza overnight before the race so he could attend the funeral mass in Santa Eulària, Ibiza, where Ángel's hearse was accompanied by over 500 motorcyclists and thousands of fans who applauded as he passed.
An 'open' funeral 'fit for a hero' – as Nieto's sons Pablo and Gelete described it – will be held for the sporting great in September.
