Sete Gibernau - MotoGP Racing

Sete Gibernau

Spanish rider Sete Gibernau has re-entered the MotoGP circuit for 2009 after two years in retirement. In 1996, while racing in the Ducados Open, motorcycle racing legend Wayne Rainey spotted Gibernau's talent and immediately signed him to his 250cc Yamaha team. 1997 found Sete stepping into the realm of the 500's, switching to Honda in 1998 and finally making his way to MotoGP.

Four podiums in 1999, and a rough season in 2000 ended with him signing on to ride with Suzuki in 2001, when he scored his first victory at Valencia. 2002 brought more frustrations which ended the Suzuki contract and Sete returned to Honda for 2003. That year, after the tragic death of his teammate Daijiar Kato, Sete went on to score four wins and 6 podium finishes as he battled Valentino Rossi for the Championship. Although he came in runner-up to the Italian, he made history by ending it with the highest score ever attained for a 2nd place season. 2004 proved an exciting follow-up season as Gibernau once again gave Rossi a run for his money all the way through to the final round, and once again finished runner-up to the title. 2005 turned out to be a season of crashes and DNF's, leaving him in the 7th position at the end of the year.

2006 looked promising indeed for the experienced Spaniard when he signed on with Ducati to ride alongside fellow MotoGP veteran Loris Capirossi. After a horrifying crash that year in Catalunya, Gibernau suffered setbacks from the injuries he sustained which ultimately effected his standings. He ended that year with a 13th position overall, and a subsequent announcement of retirement.

Two years on the mend, and Gibbers found himself testing for Ducati in 2008, and ultimately signing on with them to once again return to MotoGP competition in 2009 riding for Grupo Francisco Hernando.