World Superbike - Carlos Checa
08/30/2007 (update : 12/31/2008)

Carlos Checa Date of birth : 10/15/1972
Place of birth : Sant Fruitos (Spain)
Size : 1,74 m
Weight : 69 kg
Nickname : El Toro
Marital status : single

Website : http://www.carloscheca.com

2009 : 7th World Superbike championship (Honda)
2008 : 4th World Superbike championship - 2 wins, 1 pole, Suzuka 8 Hour race winner (Honda)
2007 : 14th MotoGP world championship (Honda)
2006 : 15th MotoGP world championship (Yamaha)
2005 : 9th MotoGP world championship (Ducati)
2004 : 7th MotoGP world championship (Yamaha) - 1 pole
2003 : 7th MotoGP world championship (Yamaha)
2002 : 5th MotoGP world championship (Yamaha) - 1 pole
2001 : 6th 500 cc world championship (Yamaha)
2000 : 6th 500 cc world championship (Yamaha)
1999 : 7th 500 cc world championship (Yamaha)
1998 : 4th 500 cc world championship (Honda) - 1 win, 1 pole
1997 : 8th 250 cc world championship (Honda)
1996 : 8th 500 cc world championship (Honda) - 1 win
1995 : 16th 500 cc world championship, 13th 250 cc world championship (Honda)
1994 : 12th 250 cc world championship (Honda)
1993 : 23th 250 cc world championship, 27th 125 cc world championship (Honda)

With twelve consecutive seasons in premier-class (500 cc and MotoGP), among which seven as a factory rider, Carlos Checa is one of the most experienced riders in activity. The Catalan rider carried out very promising debuts : 7th for his first 125 cc Grand Prix in Barcelona in 1993, best privateer in 1994 for his rookie season in 250 cc. Recruited by Sito Pons in 1995, Carlos Checa moved to the 500 cc class to replace Alberto Puig, seriously injured on Le Mans track. Before his home crowd, he led the Catalunya Grand Prix during several laps before crashing. Still in the Spanish team, he earned two race wins : in Barcelona in 1996 and Jarama in 1998. During this year, close to death after a high-speed crash, he came back on track seven weeks later and finished the championship in 4th position (his best ranking ever). Chosen by the Yamaha factory in 1999, alongside Max Biaggi, he didn't manage to win anymore. The switch to 4-stroke engines, fitting more his riding style, changed nothing. Sincerely loving his job, Carlos Checa raced for free with Tech 3 in 2006. After a last disappointing MotoGP season, World Superbikes gave him a new motivation. "El Toro" claimed the two race wins at Salt Lake City and took the victory at the Suzuka 8 Hour race, teamed with Ryuichi Kiyonari. His 2009 campaign was unfortunately less brilliant and the Spaniard will ride a privateer Ducati machinery in 2010.

2009
Carlos Checa Honda Superbike 2009 7 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Honda)
Watercolours and India on 140 lbs paper,
9,6 x 12 "
September 2009

2008
Carlos Checa Honda Superbike 2008 7 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Honda)
Watercolours and India on 140 lbs paper,
9,6 x 12 "
September 2008
Carlos Checa Honda Suzuka 2008 11 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Honda)
Watercolours and India on 140 lbs paper,
9,6 x 12 "
August 2008

2006
Carlos Checa Yamaha MotoGP 2006 7 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Yamaha)
Watercolours on 140 lbs paper,
12 x 16 "
April 2006

2005
Carlos Checa Ducati MotoGP 2005 7 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Ducati)
Watercolours on 140 lbs paper,
12 x 16 "
May 2005

2004
Carlos Checa Yamaha MotoGP 2004 7 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Yamaha)
Watercolours on 140 lbs paper,
12 x 16"
May 2004

2003
Carlos Checa Yamaha MotoGP 2003 7 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Yamaha)
Watercolours and India ink on 160 lbs paper,
8,9 x 11,1"
May 2003
Carlos Checa Yamaha MotoGP 2003 7 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Yamaha)
Watercolours and India ink on 160 lbs paper,
8,9 x 11,1"
May 2003

1998
Carlos Checa Honda MotoGP 1998 8 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Honda)
Watercolours on 140 lbs paper,
9,6 x 12 "
March 2006

1996
Carlos Checa Honda MotoGP 1996 24 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Honda)
Watercolours and India on 140 lbs paper,
9,6 x 12 "
May 2009

1995
Carlos Checa Honda Grand Prix 250 1995 12 - Carlos Checa (SPA, Honda)
Watercolours on 140 lbs paper,
12 x 16 "
March 2007

[ ©  Mon petit atelier 2009]
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