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Franco Uncini retires from his role as FIM Grand Prix Safety Officer

Franco Uncini retires from his role as FIM Grand Prix Safety Officer
November 6, 2022

At the end of the 2022 season, MotoGP™ Legend Franco Uncini will retire from his role as FIM Grand Prix Safety Officer with his replacement named as Bartolomé Alfonso

An incredible advocate for rider safety over nearly four decades, Uncini’s impact on the sport cannot be overstated. He began his on-track career in the 250 World Championship in 1976, taking his first podiums and victories, and was runner up the following season. He moved into the premier class for 1979, taking a podium as a rookie and three more the year after. 1982 saw Uncini win the 500 Championship with seven podiums, of which five were wins, writing his name into the sporting history books.

Following his retirement from racing, Uncini’s role in the paddock then became one of advocacy. A vocal presence as rider representative working towards better safety conditions from the mid-80s on, he was then chosen by the Grand Prix riders to represent them as their safety delegate from 1993.

Since, Uncini’s presence has only grown and the Italian was named FIM Grand Prix Safety Officer in 2013, adding to his impact on the sport once more. After his tenth season as Safety Officer, he will now step down and leave a legacy that will be difficult to match, having dedicated his career to improving safety for his fellow riders and MotoGP™ Legends over nearly four decades.

Bartolomé Alfonso, who will take on the role, began his career as a track marshal at Jarama before he moved to a new role in the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship as timekeeping coordinator and later Events Director at Dorna Sports. The next chapter saw Alfonso move to become General Manager of Lusail International Circuit in Doha, before he was named Managing Director of MotorLand Aragón in 2008.

In 2018, Alfonso then became General Manager of Racing Loop, developing circuits and motorsport projects in different parts of the world, working with local promoters and sanctioning bodies the FIM and FIA. Alfonso has been a member of the FIM Road Racing Commission since 2012.

As he retires, the FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports thanked Franco Uncini for his decades of work and dedication, and wish him the very best as he steps away from his direct role in the sport – safe in the knowledge his legacy will be lasting and his presence always welcome in the paddock.

Image (from left): Tomé Alfonso, Carmelo Ezpeleta; CEO of Dorna Sports, Franco Uncini, FIM President Jorge Viegas.

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