Ngel Nieto, "12+1"-Time World Champion: 1947-2017

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

Grand Prix racing legend Ángel Nieto has died at the age of 70, succumbing to injuries after being hit by a car while riding an ATV.

Nieto was reportedly struck while traveling at low speeds around a roundabout in Spain on July 26. Nieto was thrown off his quad and hit his head on the ground. After being taken to a hospital in Ibiza, Nieto was placed into an induced coma. Doctors were hopeful of waking the 12+1-time (Nieto was superstitious with the number 13) world champion but his condition worsened on Aug. 3.

Born Jan. 25, 1947 in Zamora, Spain, Nieto is the winningest Spanish Grand Prix racer of all time, with his 90 wins trailing only Giacomo Agostini (122 wins) and Valentino Rossi (115 wins). Nieto’s success came in the small-displacement classes, with six titles in the 50cc class (1969, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976 and 1977) and sevn in the 125cc class (1971, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984). In 186 career races, Nieto has 90 wins, 139 podiums and qualified on the pole 16 times.

Nieto won his first five titles riding a Derbi, one on a Kreidler, two on a Bultaco, two on a Minarelli and three on a Garelli. After retiring from racing, Nieto ran his own racing team with son Ángel Nieto Jr. and Emilio Alzamora, with the latter winning a 125ccc World Championship in 1999.

12+1 World Championships. A true #MotoGP Legend.

Thanks for the memories, Ángel Nieto. pic.twitter.com/xdoKetD6Sc

— MotoGP™??? (@MotoGP) August 4, 2017

From watching El Clásico together to parties in Ibiza, Rossi & Marquez share their fondest memories of the “12+1 World Champion” Ángel Nieto pic.twitter.com/qsdb45sETK

— MotoGP™??? (@MotoGP) August 3, 2017

Gracias por todo lo que nos has enseñado! Descansa en paz maestro! #DEPAngelNieto pic.twitter.com/u8GCVtnGif

— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) August 3, 2017

Ángel Nieto, con tus alas volaste en moto en la tierra y ahora seguirás volando y enseñándonos el camino desde el cielo. 12+1 eterno! DEP pic.twitter.com/bt19uxkT9y

— Dani Pedrosa (@26_DaniPedrosa) August 3, 2017

A very sad day for the motorcycling world. Our deepest condolences to the family of Angel Nieto. RIP Great Champ. #Legend #12plus1 pic.twitter.com/885TUN0WAH

— Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) August 3, 2017

We deeply regret the passing of our ambassador Ángel Nieto. From Motors, we want to send our condolences to the Nieto family. pic.twitter.com/RV2bo6w0DG

— BultacoInternational (@Bultaco_INT) August 4, 2017

Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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 3 comments
  • JWaller JWaller on Aug 04, 2017

    Hayden two months ago and now this. I'm not going anywhere on a road in Europe unless I'm in a tank.

    • DickRuble DickRuble on Aug 04, 2017

      It's not that the Europeans kill more riders than Americans kill.. it's that fewer famous champion riders go bicycling or ATV riding on American roads. Those killed in the US are just not accomplished champions, they don't attract the same attention.

  • James D. Becker James D. Becker on Aug 05, 2017

    Angel Nieto was one of the greatest Grand Prix motorcycle riders, as seen by his 13 World Championships. Because he rode small bikes, he never got the attention that Augustini received. However, try racing a 21 speed 50cc bike! The man was brilliant! RIP Angel Nieto.

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