Carlos Checa

Read about Carlos Checa, including career highlights, pictures and news of the road racer right here at Motorcycle USA.

Carlos Checa began his GP career on a 250 in 1995 and got a 500 ride when his teammate was injured that same year. The Bull made an immediate impact on the GP scene, where he competed for more than a decade. His first 500GP victory came at Catalunya, ahead of GP legend Mick Doohan.

After many seasons with Honda and then Yamaha, Checa has kicked around the MotoGP paddock, riding for four different teams in as many years. For 2007 he found himself competing on a Michelin-shop LCR Honda. After a year toiling for the hapless Tech 3 Yamaha team utilizing Dunlop rubber, the Spaniard was looking forward to a more productive season, but languished in 14th overall.

Checa jumped to World Superbike in 2008, where he emerged as a consistent podium and race-winning threat for the Ten Kate Honda squad, finishing fourth overall. For 2009, the usually even Checa DNF'd six times and labored for four podium finishes, taking seventh overall in the championship.

In 2010 Checa returned to race-winning form aboard the new Althea Racing Ducati team. In a surprisingly strong season Checa earned third in the series behind Max Biaggi and Leon Haslam, shaming the underachieving factory Xerox Ducati team. His 2010 campaign included three wins at Phillip Island and Imola in addition to another five podiums.

2011 proved a breakout year for the Spaniard in World Superbike as he rode to 15 wins, 21 podiums and six Superpoles with Althea Ducati. As a result Checa claimed the first WSB title for Spain, and is currently set to defend his title in 2012 with Althea Ducati.

Despite crashing out of the first race of the season at Phillip Island, Checa claimed the early advantage in the 2012 World Superbike Championship. Following his high-side in Race 1, he went on to notch three consecutive race wins. During Round 3 at Assen, a mistake in tire choice forced the Spaniard to the pits mid-race, leaving him well outside the top-10 and marking the beginning of what would become a frustrating year. He would grab one more race win during the season at Miller, but was unable to recapture the glory of his 2011 campaign. He earned nine total podiums, one pole position and finished the year in fourth overall.

At the end 2012, Althea Racing and Ducati parted ways. Francis Batta’s Belgian organization, Team Alstare, took Althea’s place and is set to manage Checa as well as his new teammate, Ayrton Badovini, through the 2013 season. In addition to the new management, Checa and Badovini will also pilot the new Ducati 1199 Panigale for its inaugural World Superbike season.