All Legends
# AN Angel Nieto
es flag
Spain
Years Active 1964 - 1986
Career Highlight

Legend Stats

Legend Bio

All categories

80cc, 125cc, 250cc, 50cc

Date of birth

25/01/1947

Place of birth

Zamora

Legend Story

Angel Nieto established Spain as a motorcycling force with 13 World Championships, 90 Grand Prix wins and 139 podiums, in the 50cc, 80cc and 125cc classes over almost two decades from 1967 to 1986. A superstitious Legend, the rider from Zamora always referred to the number of his titles as 12 + 1. Nieto’s sheer dominance in the smaller classes mean that his achievements regularly place him up with the likes of Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi, Mike Hailwood and Phil Read as one of the finest and most skillful riders ever to have graced the world stage. With six World Championships in the 50cc class and seven on 125cc machinery, Nieto also holds the record of earning the most titles with different manufacturers - five in total: Derbi, Bultaco, Garelli, Minarelli and Kreidler. In addition to his Grand Prix success, Nieto gained Spanish Championships in every conceivable class from 50cc up to 750cc. His easy character and joviality made him a popular figure and encapsulated the cavalier spirit that defined the sport in the late 1960s and '70s. Later head of a motorcycling dynasty as family members followed the Legend’s path into the world of two wheels, Nieto then sadly passed away in 2017 following a quad bike accident in Ibiza. He was 70 years old.