Alex Criville
First Spaniard to win the 500cc World Championship
Àlex Crivillé Tapias (born 4 March 1970) is a Spanish former professional motorcycle racer. He competed in the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships from 1987 to 2001, most prominently as a member of the Honda factory racing team. In 1992 he became the first Spaniard to win a 500cc Grand Prix and, in 1999 he became the first Spaniard to win the 500cc World Championship.
Quick Facts
- Nationality
- Spanish (Catalan)
- Primary class
- 500 cc (0.5 L) Grand Prix
- World championships
- 2 (500cc, 1999 & 2000)
- Championship team
- Honda
- Nickname
- El Crivi
- Notable rivals
- Sete Gibernau, Max Biaggi
Lore & Background
Crivillé was born in Barcelona, Spain. He falsified his age in order to start racing at 14 in 1985, the minimum age for a license being 15 in Spain. In that year he won the Criterium Solo Moto, a national series for 75 cc Honda streetbikes. He started his international career in the 80cc World Championship with Derbi in 1987, finishing eleventh in the championship. In 1988 he finished second in the 80cc championship and also raced in the 125cc class. In 1989 he won the 125cc World Championship with the JJ Cobas team. He moved to the 250cc class in 1990 with Yamaha, finishing eleventh, and returned to JJ Cobas in 1991, finishing thirteenth. He moved up to 500cc in 1992 with the Honda Pons team, winning his first race at the Dutch GP and finishing eighth in the championship. In 1993 he stayed with Honda Pons and finished eighth again. In 1994 he moved to the Factory Honda team, finishing sixth in the championship. He won the 500cc World Championship in 1999.
Reader's Guide
Crivillé's career spanned from 1987 to 2001. He won the 125cc World Championship in 1989 and the 500cc World Championship in 1999. He is the first Spaniard to win a 500cc Grand Prix (1992) and the first Spaniard to win the 500cc World Championship (1999). He raced for Derbi (80cc, 1987–1988), JJ Cobas (125cc, 1989; 250cc, 1991), Yamaha (250cc, 1990), and Honda (500cc, 1992–2001). He retired mid-2001 due to health issues.
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