Rider who disassembled his bike, rode 42 hours non-stop, suffered a stake but competed in the MXGP World Championship in Neuquén

Large structures such as KTM, Yamaha and Honda enliven the MXGP World Championship, the international championship that opens the season in Argentina, with the fantastic Villa La Angostura circuit, in the province of Neuquén, as a backdrop. The power of these teams coexists with those who put a lot of effort into being able to compete in a unique eventnot only because it is the largest in the discipline, but also for the great celebration that enlivens the protagonists, the public and the heavenly place.

And part of the many stories that fuel Motocross, it appears Roy Velascoa Bolivian pilot who lived the most intense week of his life, according to what he himself told clarionto get to participate in the only Latin American date of the MXGP World Championship.

“I was traveling from Santa Cruz de la Sierra with a partner, Carlos Padilla. He was due to leave on Monday, but his travel permit came out on Tuesday. That’s where the first problem appeared. The next day we left and when we got to the border, we noticed a problem with the motorcycle insurance, so we had to process it again there, but as it takes 24 hours to get the permit. So even the cell phone that carried other bikes continued its journey so as not to delay other teams and I kept the bike”, began the story of one of the many Bolivian representatives.

“With the permission granted, I had no way of transferring to the bike. And a friend who has a Jeep offered to drive me. But for this, the bike had to be disassembled. It took more than half an hour to disassemble the bike. Later, during assembly, we spent a little over an hour preparing it. It was like putting the bike in a matchbox,” commented Velasco, as he showed off every part of his bike on the Villa La Angostura track.

But the problems have not arisen only on the Bolivian side. Other surprises awaited him in Argentina: “The journey was endless, plus we arrived very tight with the times. It was 42 hours of non-stop travel. Finally, when we arrived in Neuquén, around 4:30 in the morning, there was a blockage due to a social conflict and we had to stay there for 5 hours. Only at 10 in the morning was he released. Meanwhile, a Costa Rican pilot told me I was running out of time to get there in time for the tech check. Luckily we arrived just 20 minutes from closing.”

“Luckily we arrived and participated in the MXGP World Championship, together with my brother and my mechanic, who is also my best friend. I think these experiences from the last week will be remembered for the rest of our lives,” Roy noted.

With Velasco appearing at the last minute, the Argentine date of the MXGP World Championship went to 41 qualified entrants. Not a minor detail, given that with 40 the organization is divided into two lots of 20, but since there are more, the calendar has already changed, because you have to qualify, and everything changes. “Eventually my compatriot Daniel Choque was excluded and I was able to enter. This also applies to the Latin American Championship, which also shares the stage here this year, with 16 participants. “My idea is to rank in the top 5 Latinos to be able to copy Europeans, learn and improve and of course bring all these lessons to my country.”

Beyond many sacrifices and obstacles, Roy Velasco has found a dream place: Argentine Patagonia: “Aside from the problems, when I arrived at Villa La Angostura it was like entering a fairy tale. I fell in love with the place at first sight. I had never seen anything so beautiful. For this reason, at the end of the race I will take my time to enjoy this incredible place and on Tuesday I will leave for Bolivia, but with great peace of mind”.

The MXGP World Cup has passed through Argentina, which for the seventh time hosts the top championship of the specialty with its appointment. A crowd accompanied the competition, already marking a tradition that strengthens the country within the international motorcycling concert, given that this event too has its combination with the Argentine Superbike appointment, in San Juan, and obviously, with the GP Argentina of the MotoGP, in Santiago del Estero.