Álex Debón retires from motorcycle racing and will be Team Manager for Moto2 and 125cc

The veteran rider Alex Debón announced during the last race of the season in Valencia that he was hanging up his leathers after that event. Although the decision was far from easy for him, he had to make it after the crash in Portugal, in which he fractured his collarbone once again.

Apparently, the doctors did not think it advisable for Debón to keep racing given the condition of his collarbone after so many fractures, so that crash ended up determining his definitive farewell as a rider. Even though a week earlier he had told the press that he would stay one more season in Moto2 developing the FTR, in the end it was not possible.

The Castellón native has now become a team manager and sporting director in the Moto2 and 125cc categories. On one hand, he is leading the Aeroport de Castelló team, with which he has competed in the World Championship this season, and he is also tasked with teaching and mentoring young Kev Coghlan, who is coming from the CEV Moto2, and rider Adrián Martín in 125cc.

This will be his first season in twelve years in the championship that he will not be suiting up in leathers, and he will be watching the bulls from the barrier, without a doubt it has been a very emotional farewell, because he is one of our representatives who has had to work the hardest and who has not had immense support from any brand, so he himself has been building things up little by little.

Below you can see Debón’s statements:

It has been a very difficult decision, because I believe I could have continued for one more year, but sometimes you have to listen to the doctors.

I did not expect the crash in Portugal, where I dislocated my shoulder. There was a meeting with Dr. Gastaldi and his medical team, and together we decided it was better that I not race any more, and for once health took priority over sporting matters.

I think I can make a positive assessment.

We have shown our face right to the end, like on the last day in Cheste, fighting with dignity, and I believe people have not overlooked it. I managed to be the best private rider for many years, we helped develop the Aprilia RSA, which has been twice world champion… there have been very positive aspects that have made history; what is regrettable are the crashes.

I would have liked to say goodbye in a different way, but I also know that perhaps another rider would have thrown in the towel midway through the season. I have fought until the end, and I am proud to be able to say so.

This year I have had three operations on my left shoulder, two on my right shoulder, on my collarbone, and ten operations in total since I achieved my last pole in Valencia (November 2009) and crashed at the end of the straight. It has been the whole year; we have gone down about once a month.

To Kev, from Aeroport de Castelló, we are going to give what no one has given him until now: an exhaustive work plan, a tailor-made and 100% official team, and a completely new bike with all the data I can offer him as a rider.

And a factory like FTR, which is one of the three that work in the World Championship. I believe that with my help in the box and advising him on the circuits he does not know, we can surprise everyone next year in terms of results.

Thank you for all your effort, Alex!

We will remain attentive to former rider Alex Debón.

Source | MotoGP Official website