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Joining champions of the calibre of Giacomo Agostini, Wayne Rainey and Mick Doohan he too is now part of the Hall of Fame. On Friday, in the press room at the Barcelona circuit, Alex Criville received this prestigious award from Carmelo Ezpeleta, confirming his status as a legend. An icon on two wheels, as the Dorna boss defined him: “Alex has set an example for this sport – he said – a well-deserved award for the passion and commitment that he has brought to the world of motorcycling”.
The rider recalls all those moments in which he won, lost and took the title in 1999, putting an end to Doohan's dominance: “It's impossible to forget those years, my mum suffered a lot, watching me race – he explained – in 1996 at Jerez I had a great battle with Mick, then on the last lap I found people on the track. I had to swerve around various people – he added –unfortunately the crash put an end to my race”.
Then there was the inevitable recollection of what happened at Eastern Creek, where both ended up crashing:“I felt strong and ready to win in Australia that year – he said – I tried to enter that corner fast and then get the bike straight back upright, but we touched. Years have passed but I still have a good relationship with Mick, not a great one, but there is respect”. Then came the title: “I will always remember the people – he concluded – when I came home after the win I could never have imagined so many people there to welcome me. It was then that I realised I'd achieved something legendary”.
