Marco Melandri, born in 1982 in Ravenna, starts very young to take part to races and in few years he rides in national competitions, riding then in his first Grand Prix when he was only 15.
After he has fought for the title in the “125” bikes races for the first two seasons, Aprilia signed him on to take Valentino Rossi’s place.
Quickly Melandri becomes one of the favourites to get the champion title in 2001, when he actually achieves his first success and he performs greatly, despite of several lesions to his shoulder.
In 2002 he has won so many times that he leads the championship.

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Carlos Checa, born in 1972 in Sant Fruitos- Spain-, takes part in 1992 to the European Championship of 125 bikes, after he won the previous year Catalan Championship.
In 1995 he moves up to the 250 bikes, winning the Catalan Grand Prix the year after.
After a serious accident in 1998, in 1999 he comes back to the races with the Marlboro-Yamaha team. After 2 victories and 17 times on the dais, he gets good results in the 2002 season.

Official Site