Yet Another World Champion!
And not just any champion but Manuel “Champi” Herreros, the last ever rider to win the 80cc title!
The successes of Ángel Nieto and his legendary Derbi factory machines helped Spain to become a breeding ground for specialists in the small displacement classes of GP racing.
Manuel “Champi” Herreros, was one of the greatest riders of the era which saw the end of ultra lightweight racing in 1989.
Beginning his career on a private 125cc MBA he quickly turned to the 80cc category and found a place in the Derbi racing team alongside the legendary riders Ángel Nieto and Jorge Martinez Aspar.
In 1985, “Champi” was fourth in the 80cc World Championship but in the following two seasons, he was narrowly beaten into second place by Jorge Martinez.
Nevertheless, his incredible consistency brought him no less than 22 podium places and finally a world title in 1989 – the last ever year of the ultra lightweight class.
“Champi” moved up to the 125cc class but, lacking a competitive machine, never managed to repeat his glory years with Derbi – ending his career at the German GP in 1991, on a Rotax engined Cobas.
On the 19th, 20th and 21st of June, “Champi” will line up with a remarkable collection of World Champions, during the Bikers’ Classics at Spa-Francorchamps. As is fitting Manuel will be riding his beloved 80cc Derbi, which led him to the most glorious moments in his racing career.
