BIOGRAPHY

Alex Crivillé Tapias was born in Seva (Barcelona), on March 4th 1970, into the
heart of a family with a traditional association with motorcycles. This environment
enabled him to further develop his innate qualities as a rider.

In 1985, at only 15 years of age, he entered the world of competitive motorcycle
racing, gaining his first absolute victory in 1986 when he won the Criterium Solo
Moto.

International Debut----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In 1987 he first took part in international competitions as a member of the world
famous official Derbi team, combining his participation in the European and World
Championship competitions. This same year he had his first victory outside Spain
when he won first place at the Cathedral of Motorcycling, the Assen circuit in
Holland. He was second in his only participation in the World Championship, the
Spanish Grand Prix, and finally third in the European 80 cc Championship and
11th in the World Championship for the same category.

His progress continued in 1988, now fully integrated in the 80 cc category where
he was runner-up for the World Title.
 
 

World Champion-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His meteoric rise reached a peak in 1989, when he was proclaimed World
Champion in the 125 cc. category, at that time the youngest champion in the
history of motorcycle racing. In 1990, responding to his yearning for new
challenges, Alex Crivillé stepped up to the 250 c.c. category and then took a
further leap forward in 1992, when he participated in the leading category of all,
the 500 cc.

First Spanish victory 500----------------------------------------------------------------------------

His speed and highly refined riding technique allowed him to rapidly adapt to this
new category, until then reserved for the greatest champions of world motorcycle
racing. He achieved a memorable victory in the Dutch Grand Prix in 1992, the first
time a Spanish rider had won a Grand Prix of the 500 cc. class.

                                                             Official member of the Honda Team--------------------------------------------------------------

After two years apprenticeship under Sito Pons, in 1994 he was invited to form
part of the official Honda team where he achieved three third places, finishing the
world championship in 6th place.
In 1995 he earned a place on the podium for the 500 c.c. World Championship on
six occasions, taking first place in the Grand Prix of Catalonia, second in Holland,
and third in Australia, Malaysia, Spain and England. He finished the World
Championship in fourth place.
1996 was the year in which Alex Crivillé made his permanent mark as one of the
best World Championship riders. His fierce battles with his fellow team-mate
Michael Doohan were memorable occasions. He earned a place on the podium
on no less than 11 occasions, taking first place in Austria and the Czech Republic.
 

Authors: ALBERT TRILLO AND ALBERT VILLACAMPA
 
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