Dean Berta Viñales (20 April 2006 – 25 September 2021) was a Spanish professional motorcycle racer. He competed in the Supersport 300 World Championship for the Viñales Racing Team on a Yamaha YZF-R3.[1]
Dean Berta Viñales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nationality | Spanish | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Palau-saverdera, Spain | 20 April 2006||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 25 September 2021 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain | (aged 15)||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Berta Viñales was the cousin of Maverick Viñales, a Moto3 world champion[2] and Isaac Viñales, who has competed in the 125cc, Moto3, Moto2 and Supersport World Championships.[3]
Career
editBerta Viñales debuted in the Supersport 300 World Championship in 2021, where he started in 11 races, reaching his best result in fourth place in the race held at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours.[4]
Death
editBerta Viñales died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident during the first race of the Jerez round.[2][5] At the first turn of the circuit, there was a multi-rider crash, and after falling to the ground he was run over by other riders.[6] He was the first Supersport 300 rider to die from injuries in a race.[7]
At 3:11 p.m. on the same day of the accident, the organization published the following message on its social networks: We are deeply saddened to report the death of Dean Berta Viñales. The Superbike family sends their love to family, loved ones and their team. His personality, enthusiasm and commitment will be greatly missed. Everyone in motorcycle racing will miss you, Dean. Travel in peace.[8]
Legacy
editFollowing three teenage deaths during the 2021 motorcycle road racing season with ages 14, 19 and Berta Viñales at 15, the organisers FIM and Dorna have introduced new minimum-age requirements rising from 16 to 18 in major road racing competitions from 2023, together with reduced grid sizes and with other restrictions for lesser series.[9][10]
Career statistics
editSupersport 300 World Championship
editRaces by year
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Bike | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Pos | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Yamaha | SPA 29 |
SPA 27 |
ITA 25 |
ITA 20 |
NED | NED | CZE 20 |
CZE 16 |
FRA 15 |
FRA 4 |
SPA 14 |
SPA 6 |
SPA Ret |
SPA DNS |
POR | POR | 23rd | 26 |
References
edit- ^ "Muere Dean Berta Viñales, primo de Maverick, tras una caída en Jerez" (in Spanish). Marca. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Muere el piloto de motociclismo Dean Berta Viñales, de 15 años" (in Spanish). El País. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ "El emotivo homenaje a Dean Berta Viñales en Jerez con sus primos Maverick e Isaac" (in Spanish). El Español. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Viñales: "Without Angel and Maverick I would not have been able to advance like this…"". WorldSBK. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ^ "Muere Dean Berta, primo de Maverick Viñales, tras un grave accidente en la carrera de SuperSport 300 de Jerez" (in Spanish). 20 Minutos. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ "Muere el piloto español Dean Berta Viñales tras sufrir un accidente en Jerez" (in Spanish). ABC. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ "World Supersport 300 rider Steeman passes away after crash". motorsport.com. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ El Periódico de Catalunya (25 September 2021). "Muere el piloto Dean Berta, de 15 años y primo de Maverick Viñales tras un accidente en Jerez" (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ FIM raises age limits for junior series following teenager deaths Autosport, 22 October 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021
- ^ After three fatalities, FIM/Dorna change age limits on youth racers avrider.com, 25 October 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021