The year 2021 brought a jolt of emotion and surprise to MotoGP fans. It wasn’t a horror story of a new star taking over, but a shock that left hearts racing: the emergence of Pedro Acosta, Mazarrón’s youngster, alongside Valentino Rossi’s retirement announcement after a long chase for a tenth title. Rossi’s departure at age 42, now a father, followed years of rivalry and debate, as some felt Márquez’s ascent overshadowed Rossi’s aspirations.
As 2022 rolled in, the publishing world offered a welcome turn. Richard Gallego Rodrigo, the thoughtful owner of RBA and Planeta, and notably geoPlaneta, introduced two extraordinary works. Each book stands apart in style and voice, yet both center on motorcycles, racing, and the people who shape the sport. The narratives explore a prodigious young champion and a legendary veteran, with Márquez entering the conversation as a catalyst in their intertwined stories.
Two very different lives
Both books are compelling not only for their fervent celebration of the racing world but also for their intimate portraits of two different generations. The younger hero, nicknamed the “shark,” rose to prominence at a mere 16 or 17. The elder, known as “The Doctor,” faced retirement at 42 after a life crowded with unexpected twists. Each tale is authored by a distinct mind, reflecting divergent paths, yet both tethered to the world of bikes and speed.
The narrative about the veteran Jaime Alguersuari, then 72, treats Acosta’s explosive rise as more than just a snapshot for Planeta’s catalog. It invites readers to see him as a friend, a mentor, a colleague, and a member of a loose-knit, adventurous circle described by insiders as the “Last of the Philippines” club. This group is united by belief in bold projects and a willingness to translate big dreams into concrete plans.
Readers are guided toward a remembrance of the life around a beautifully crafted home workshop and a historically significant machine: the Ossa 250 Monocoque from 1968, an emblem of craftsmanship that symbolizes the era when motorcycle culture was rapidly evolving. This is the same lineage that fueled Acosta’s ascent to the cover of the book. The story acknowledges the designer who built Solo Moto Criterium and the Solo Moto magazine, institutions that nurtured many modern Spanish champions and the Bultaco Streaker Cup.
“A star is born!”
Acosta’s chronicle is not a conventional book; it reads like a life journey. It follows a young racer who, at a pivotal moment, chooses a different path after a moment of dramatic reckoning in the Basque Country. The tale portrays a teenager whose talent is matched by a fierce, unyielding drive, eventually inspiring a book that feels less like a publication and more like a living tribute—a tale of speed, devotion, and the resilience found in a world of intense competition.
In the origin story shared with readers, Acosta’s earliest training session in Qatar in 2021 is recounted with unforgettable intensity. An infamous social moment—an on-track nickname shouted across a crowd—captures the instant recognition of a future star. What follows is a trajectory defined by passion for racing and a committed devotion to his craft, a narrative that balances awe with a candid look at the personal costs and sacrifices of high-stakes sport.
The famous kick to Márquez
Nadia Tronchini’s work dives into a different facet. While it contains a warm, affectionate tone, it comes from serious reporting rather than sentiment alone. Oriol Puigdemont, a colleague at El País and a renowned observer of motorsport, recalls the journalistic rigor that helped Tronchini become a trusted voice in the paddock. Her keen eye and relentless preparation culminated in a biography that offers a fresh, human portrait of Rossi and the world around him.
Tronchini’s deep research for The Thousand Faces of Rossi encompassed conversations with numerous paddock figures to assemble a view of Rossi’s life and the people around him that would surprise readers. The author was inspired by the way Pulitzer Prize winner JR Moehringer explored candid, revealing storytelling in Open, translating that approach into a portrait of Rossi. The narrative threads Rossi’s early fame to his status as a father, explaining why his behavior and choices feel both remarkable and human to fans and critics alike.
The author frames Rossi’s story through a careful, interpretive lens, inviting readers to connect the dots and understand the force behind the legend. The legend of Tavullia—Rossi’s hometown—unfolds as a living portrait of a man who balances fame with the responsibilities and joys of family life, illustrating how his choices shape his presence in the sport today.
Two books, two heroes, two voices, two distinct approaches. They offer different rhythms—one heavier on heart, the other more analytic—yet together they deliver an exhilarating summer reading experience. This dual offering captures the excitement and drama that define contemporary motorcycle racing in North America and beyond.
The year 2021 foreshadowed big changes for Márquez and Rossi, but it also heralded the rise of a new star and a renewed curiosity about what makes champions endure. The following year brought a pair of narratives that work in dialogue with each other, showcasing how an ever-growing global audience continues to be drawn to stories where speed, risk, and personal narratives collide on the track.
In these pages, readers discover the threads that connect the sport’s most vivid personalities. The result is a compelling, human-centered view of racing culture that resonates across borders, inviting discussions about talent, mentorship, and the enduring appeal of two wheels in a fast-moving world.