The Spanish Sports Council (CSD) along with the Secretary of State for Sport, Jaime Lissavetzky, today paid tribute to the RFME and the Spanish motorcyclists who in 2010 achieved 12 World titles, three of which were in the MotoGP World Championship. Jorge Lorenzo (MotoGP), Toni Elías (Moto2) and Marc Márquez (125cc) were amongst those honoured, as were the nine individuals who achieved honours in off-road motorcycling. The event was also attended by Spanish World Champions of previous generations, with Ángel Nieto, Jorge Martínez Aspar, Sito Pons and Emilio Alzamora all present. The Secretary of State for Sport described the event as a “just act of recognition” and said that the successes of this year could be viewed as a reward for the work put in throughout the past 40 years in Spanish motorcycling history, which has produced a total of 102 World Champions. Lissavetzky also announced the bestowal of the Golden Medal of Sporting Merit upon the Real Federación Española de Motociclismo (RFME). RFME President Joan Moreta stated the titles had come as acknowledgment of the extensive efforts of those involved. “Success is the result of a process. Spanish motorcycling is in excellent health. We have had a successful year and now the titles are with our riders.” Meanwhile Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, paid tribute to the contribution of the CSD in the revival of the success of motorcycling in the country. “After the titles of Álex Crivillé and Emilio Alzamora in 1999 there was not much more and the CSD saw that. Now we are proud of our motorcycling and we encourage other federations and countries to do the same,” he commented. Jorge Lorenzo was delighted to be part of “a group of champions that had completed the clean sweep in the MotoGP World Championship” and also confirmed his intention to change his now famous number 99 for 1 in recognition of his title. “I’ll ride with this number because it can happen only once in a lifetime,” he said.