¿Dónde estaba la estrella del piloto de motos español Ricardo Tormo? Desde luego, no en la Tierra. Tormo (1952-1998) sobrino de mecánicos, cambió el ciclismo por el motor, a espaldas de sus padres. Falsificó autorizaciones y ocultó trofeos, pero fue descubierto y castigado sin velocidad hasta cumplir los 20 años. Entonces comenzó a volar, siendo dos veces campeón del Mundo. En 1984 el testigo que portaba el gran Angel Nieto parecía llevar escrito su nombre, y además firmaba el mejor contrato de su carrera. Pero un 24 de abril se dispuso a probar su Derbi en el Polígono de Martorellas, al lado de la fábrica barcelonesa. La escudería no cerró bien el circuito -así eran antes las cosas- y Tormo se encontró, a 170 kilómetros por hora, con una despistada conductora. Gracias a su pericia esquivó el vehículo pero se estrelló contra la desgracia. Se fracturó las dos piernas y un brazo. Nunca más volvió a caminar. Para colmo, años después, se le descubrió una leucemia. Luchó con tesón y valentía hasta el 17 de diciembre de 1998, sin llegar a ver el circuito de Cheste que hoy lleva su nombre. La estrella de Ricardo Tormo ya estaba mucho antes, seguro, en el cielo.
Ricardo Tormo (1952-1998) was a spanish rider with very bad luck. Tormo's uncles were mechanics, and he changed the cycling for racing motorcycle, without their parents permission. Tormo forged authorizations and hid the trophy, but he was discovered and punished without speed until age 20. Then he began to fly, and was two times World Champion. 1984, he was the Angel Nieto´s successor, and also signed the best career contract. But an April 24 he had to prove his Derbi bike in the industrial area of Martorell, near Barcelona factory. The team didn´t close well the circuit and Tormo was found 170 kilometers per hour, with a loss driver. The spanish rider broke his legs and an arm. He never walked again and, a few years later, doctors told him he was suffering from leukemia. Tormo fought with tenacity and courage until his death day, December 17, 1998. He couldn´t see the Cheste circuit which today bears his name.
Publicado en La Región (17-03-2009).
Ricardo Tormo (1952-1998) was a spanish rider with very bad luck. Tormo's uncles were mechanics, and he changed the cycling for racing motorcycle, without their parents permission. Tormo forged authorizations and hid the trophy, but he was discovered and punished without speed until age 20. Then he began to fly, and was two times World Champion. 1984, he was the Angel Nieto´s successor, and also signed the best career contract. But an April 24 he had to prove his Derbi bike in the industrial area of Martorell, near Barcelona factory. The team didn´t close well the circuit and Tormo was found 170 kilometers per hour, with a loss driver. The spanish rider broke his legs and an arm. He never walked again and, a few years later, doctors told him he was suffering from leukemia. Tormo fought with tenacity and courage until his death day, December 17, 1998. He couldn´t see the Cheste circuit which today bears his name.
Publicado en La Región (17-03-2009).
