Juan López Mella

Born on 12 April 1965 in Lugo in Galacia, Spain, Juan López Mella started his racing career with motocross but by the age of eighteen had moved to asphalt.[1] After debuting nationally in the Criterium Solo Moto in 1985, he progressed to racing in the World Championships in the 250cc class in 1987. After a season riding a Yamaha, during which he scored no points, he moved to a Honda in 1988; once again he finished outside the championship rankings.[2] In 1989, he raced in the World Motorcycle Championship, coming fortieth at the end of the season.[3]

Between 1990 and 1992, he competed in the Superbike World Championship, finishing with thirty three starts and ninety nine points over the three seasons.[4] During the 1991 season, he achieved his sole podium placing when he came third in the Spanish round at Jarama with a time of 40:05.859.[5] He subsequently competed twice in 1992, coming thirteenth both times.[6] He was named Spanish Superbike champion in both 1991 and 1992.[7]

In 1992, he entered in the Grand Prix 500 cc class with a Yamaha YZR500, riding for his own Lopez Mella Racing Team during the 1993 and 1994 seasons.[4] In 1993, he came twelfth overall, the highest placed amongst the private sponsored riders.[8] During 1994, he replaced Kevin Schwantz in the Suzuki team for the European Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.[9] He came thirteenth riding a Suzuki RGV500.[10]

In 1995, López Mella started the season racing in the Thunderbike Trophy, completing the first race at Jerez de la Frontera in fourth place. However, on the evening of 10 May, while riding with Cristina Blanco Trinidad near Albacete, his motorbike left the road and crashed. An ambulance was called to take him to the hospital in the town but he died before arriving.[11] In his honour, Lugo named a park that is set up to teach road safety in his name.[12]