It's a long time since Grand Prix riders competed in two different categories on the same day. Those halcyon days, long before the introduction of electronics, are long gone but the memories remain and the name of Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ always figures strongly amongst them. The man with the Midas touch turned everything to gold back in 1988, winning both the 80cc and 125cc World Championships with a winning record that included doubles in Italy, Holland, Yugoslavia the Czech Republic. Indeed, his last ever twin victory was at Brno, venue for the next round of the 2014 season this weekend.

The 28^th August 1988 goes down as the last time ‘Aspar’ won two races on the same day but it also made history as the first time it had ever happened at Brno. The Czech circuit was added to the calendar in 1987, the season before, when the Spaniard had stepped onto the second step of the podium in the 80cc class.“Brno suddenly appeared and it was quite an unusual and revolutionary track. It was wide, with a lot of grip and particularly safe. I loved it from the first time I rode it and I had some great races there.” 

That first time back in 1987 proved to be the launchpad to victory twelve months later, when he arrived there for the final round of a season that had already seen him crowned World Champion in both categories. All season long he had been on another level to his rivals. Derbi had seen the burning hunger in his eyes and gave him what he needed to do what he loved the most: to win. The factory from Martorelles built two bikes that had similar characteristics and provided two teams of technical staff, under the supervision of Francisco Tombas, and an endless supply of factory material for their chosen son, Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’. “The whole structure that Derbi put in place around me was essential for us to win both championships in one season. I can remember going to private tests and having six bikes available to try new things on. Sometimes I didn't even have time to change out of my leathers in between races so co-ordination was the key to our success during that magical season.” 

'Aspar' enjoyed the intensity of racing two categories at once that he continued for two more seasons, the sacrifice and physical strain compensated for by his energy and confidence. At times he would have to jump from the 80cc podium and run straight to the grid for the start of the 125cc race, but that 1988 season provided the pinnacle of his distinguished career. “The Derbi – Aspar tandem was perfect. It was spectacular, and without it being so it would have been impossible to win so much. No matter how many times it happened, you never get used to winning two races on the same day, it's an indescribable feeling.” On that late summer Sunday of 1988 he edged out two 125cc experts in Miralles and Spaan, setting a new circuit record in the process, whilst in the 80cc race he had to battle to the end with Stefan Dörflinger. 

They were different times, when all you needed to be a motorcycle racer was talent and the will to open the throttle. ‘Aspar’, a pioneer in so many ways, realised that there was something else you could do to go the extra mile. “In 1985 I started to work with Miguel Maeso, a personal trainer who gave me a training plan, nutritional guide and a lot of help. I loved training and after every race I would go back home and hit it hard. I remember at the start Ángel Nieto used to give me stick for having a personal trainer when nobody else bothered but to race in two categories at the same time I had to be very strong, both physically and mentally.”

After a three-week summer break the MotoGP World Championship resumes this weekend with the second half of the season getting underway at Indianapolis. The tenth round of the campaign takes place at the legendary American circuit, which has been resurfaced and slightly remodelled since last year, with Marc Márquez looking to extend his incredible record-breaking unbeaten run in this year's championship.

DRIVE M7 Aspar rider Nicky Hayden misses his home race as a result of the recent operation on his right wrist, which will also force him to miss the next round in the Czech Republic, although he will travel to Indianapolis to support the team and spend time with his fans. Nicky's replacement will be British rider Leon Camier, an experienced campaigner from World Superbikes who will be making his MotoGP debut on his first ever visit to the Indy circuit. Whilst the goal for Camier is to learn and adapt as quickly as possible his new team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama returns from a summer holiday in his native Japan looking to continue his recent good results in his 160^th Grand Prix appearance.

Nicky Hayden: “Well I don't like the thought of this weekend being the Indy MotoGP race knowing I'll be watching and not out there on my bike representing in my home race, but this is the situation. Truthfully I have already dealt with it and I'm only thinking about my recovery so no pity party for me. Of course I will still be in Indy for the complete event – I love everything they do in Indy to make it such a cool weekend, there really is something for everybody to do there so I look forward to seeing it all and meeting up with the fans. I seem to be healing on course but it was no small surgery so I'm not sure when I'll be back and probably won't know until after my next doctor check up. Until then good luck to Leon - of course it won't be the easiest situation but I am happy the team was able to find such a experienced rider with his credibility to hold the fort until I get back.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: “I made the most of the summer break to head back to Japan and spend a few days with family and friends. I have topped up on energy and motivation for the second half of the season. Indianapolis is a unique circuit with its own peculiarities but they have made some changes for this year so I am looking forward to getting there and having a look at what they have done. It is a strange track but I like it and in general I like racing in American because of the atmosphere, the culture and the fans. We finished the first half of the season well so the aim is to kick off the second half with another strong result.”

After undergoing surgery on his right wrist at the Oasis Center of San Diego last Wednesday, and after resting for several days, DRIVE M7 Aspar rider Nicky Hayden was examined on Tuesday for the first time since the operation. According to Dr. James Chao, the physician in charge of the surgery, the procedure was a success and his recovery is on track. The American rider will gradually regain movement in his wrist.

Hayden has had his wrist immobilised and has been resting since Wednesday of last week, but this Tuesday he underwent his first review. During the examination he was injected with platelet-rich plasma to help regenerate bone structure and also received magnetic therapy to accelerate the healing of the operated area. The need for adequate recovery time requires Hayden to miss the MotoGP rounds at Indianapolis and the Czech Republic. 

A fitness plan has been devised for Hayden to keep in shape during his layoff, so that when he returns to action he will be at 100%. The DRIVE M7 Aspar team will field Superbike rider Leon Camier for the Indianapolis and Czech Republic rounds that follow the summer break, standing in for Hayden.