Canet not the only tattooed rider: why deny him MotoGP?

Aron Canet has recently complained that MotoGP shows little interest in him, not so much the category but the teams and staff themselves, who seem reluctant to see him to move up to the top class. But how come? What might the Spaniard have done to jeopardize his chances? Is he lacking in talent, is he slow, does he snore at night? No, it appears his “sin” is written on his skin.

Canet swears: I’m still the same guy who likes to twist the throttle

And we believe him. Also because we know him personally and have seen that he’s a good guy – young and excited to be able to turn his passion into a job. With the bikes he rode as a child before turning professional.

The 23-year old has amassed 30 world championship podiums, across Moto3 and Moto2. OK, he hasn’t won a race, but we’re sure that he will soon do so. As for the title, Canet is working on it while also considering a change of scene. MotoGP. But there’s a problem.

It appears that the tattoos he displays publicly do not go down well with the sponsors. Damn. As if the important thing wasn’t a rider's ability to twist the throttle. Understandably, the Corbera native points out how, tattooed or not, good people stand out for other characteristics.

A world championship brimming with tattoos. And yet, Canet...

Fruit and veg, hieroglyphics, bar codes, colours, numbers, skulls, churches, important dates, flowers and guns, musical notes and shopping lists – anything and everything exists in tattoo form, and we’re talking about people in general, not just riders. Although the riders do display pretty much every kind of symbol.

And it’s not about personal taste – everyone does as they wish, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. What harm is there if Fabio Quartararo has more ink than skin on his arms? And Izan Guevara? Have you noticed the design on the Moto3 leader’s neck? Aleix Espargaró and Alex Rins have small but recognisable tattoos, as does Pecco Bagnaia. And you’ll have spotted those of Marco Bezzecchi as they’re multi-coloured.

OK, that’s enough. We should finish this article but, in conclusion, what difference is there between Maverick Vinales and Aron Canet? Are we saying that Aron has more tattoos than Maverick? We’re not about to count them, but what’s the difference between the Aprilia rider and the Pons rider? Nothing.

Traslated by Heather Watson

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