Sete Gibernau
Spanish former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, 9-time race winner and twice overall runner-up.
Manuel "Sete" Gibernau Bultó (born 15 December 1972) is a Spanish former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who is a 9-time 500cc/MotoGP race winner and a twice overall runner-up. His racing career spans three different eras of motorcycle racing, beginning with the two-stroke-dominated period prior to the 2002 season, and the four-stroke MotoGP era. He returned to racing in 2019 to compete in the electric-powered MotoE World Cup. Gibernau was one of the top riders in Grand Prix racing at the beginning of the MotoGP era.
Quick Facts
- Nationality
- Spanish
- Premier-class era
- Early 2000s – 2011
- Manufacturers ridden
- Honda, Yamaha
- Riding style
- Aggressive
- physical
- no-retreat
- Notable rivalry
- Valentino Rossi (early-to-mid 2000s)
- Status
- Retired
Lore & Background
Gibernau is the grandson of Francisco Xavier "Paco" Bultó, the founder of the Spanish Bultaco motorcycle company. He began his competitive careers in observed trials competitions. After trying many different bike categories, in particular those built by his uncle, Gibernau finally turned to road racing in 1990. In 1991 he won the Spanish Juniores 125cc Championship and in 1992 he competed in the Spanish 125cc Gilera Cup championship and entered into his first Grand Prix race at the 1992 250cc Spanish Grand Prix.
Reader's Guide
Gibernau's Grand Prix career began in the 250cc class with Yamaha (1992–1994) as a wildcard or one-off rider, then Honda (1995–1996) and a return to Yamaha in 1996 for his first full season. He moved to the 500cc class in 1997 with the official Team Rainey Yamaha team. From 1998 to 2000 he rode for Honda, initially on a privateer NSR500V and later on the factory NSR500 after replacing the injured Mick Doohan.
Did You Know?
- Gibernau's first ever podium was a third-place finish at the 1998 Madrid Grand Prix at Jarama.
- He scored his first ever fastest lap at the 1999 Catalan Grand Prix.
- Gibernau teamed up with Alex Barros to finish second in the 1998 Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race.
- He replaced the five-time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan after Doohan's career-ending crash in 1999.
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