Past Meets Present: Salvador Cañellas
Current riders met with the Spanish MotoGP legend in Montjuïc.
Dorna Communications
50 years ago, Salvador Cañellas took the first ever win for Spain in the World Championship. It was a home win, too, with the classic Montjuic circuit playing host as the first chapter of an incredible success story was written.
Just a sneak peek 👀 // It has been 50 years since Salvador Cañellas #24 became the first Spanish rider to take a Grand Prix victory - so @marcmarquez93 @jorgelorenzo99 @maverickvinales25 @26_danipedrosa @polespargaro @aleixespargaro and @alexrins made a visit to the former #Montjuic race circuit. The location of Cañellas’ 1968 win! Check out our story for behind the scenes access... #MotoGP #Racing #History #OnThisDay #Catalunya A post shared by MotoGP (@motogp) on Jun 13, 2018 at 11:14am PDT
To celebrate the milestone, it was time to head back to Montjuïc ahead of the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya – with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), teammate Dani Pedrosa, Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) joining Cañellas to look back at where it all began.
Finally, reigning MotoGP™ World Champion Marc Marquez joined Cañellas to compare Montjuïc with part of the modern-day venue for the Grand Prix held in Barcelona; the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. And, of course, how it feels to cross that finish line first.
A trip back through history to where it all started... #Barcelona // Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Grand Prix victory by a Spanish rider, Salvador Cañellas (#24) - we took the likes of @marcmarquez93 @jorgelorenzo99 @maverickvinales25 @26_danipedrosa @polespargaro @aleixespargaro & @alexrins up to the former #Montjuic race circuit where Cañellas took victory in 1968! Check out our story for more and #motogp.com for the full lowdown later... #🇪🇸 #Racing #Retro #Motorsport #History #Catalunya A post shared by MotoGP (@motogp) on Jun 13, 2018 at 5:50am PDT
To bring the event to a close, there was a photo opportunity overlooking the Jardines de Juan Maragall and the old track, with the eight riders there with their bikes as they gear up for the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya. Tune in this weekend as we switch Montjuïc for Montmeló!
Marc Marquez: "It was a pleasure to meet Salvador Cañellas, and it was incredible how he explained the circuit, how they rode, it was completely different...it was very interesting because now it's another world and with much more safety. But it was so interesting to go around the circuit!"
Dani Pedrosa: "It's great to meet Salvador Cañellas here, where the first victory happened...and it's great to hear the stories. He explained in detail how the track was back then. It's also amazing to see his leathers and his bike...it was a very cool event!"
Maverick Viñales: "It's amazing how everything has changed, I can't imagine riding a MotoGP bike on that track! Everything has changed for the better, but it's a really nice place here and I enjoyed it a lot."
Alex Rins: "For me it's incredible and a new experience, to meet the guy who won here. It's amazing to see his leathers, without much protection. To be here is very special."
Jorge Lorenzo: "Everything has changed! If you look back over so many years, you can see the difference is huge. In everything - the bikes, the safety, the tracks, leathers...there were no sponsors before, no safety, no money in the sport, and now we're really lucky to live in this era. We're in a golden era and I'm happy and excited for this weekend, and looking forward to my home GP."