Aprilia Racing rider Marco Bezzecchi, together with a father and son, poses with the RS-GP 2025 in the hospitality area during the Jerez GP on Saturday, 26 April. An initiative by the ALADINA Foundation in Seville (photo courtesy).
May 2025 (G.T.) – It didn’t take the magic of Aladdin’s lamp – just the dedication of many – to bring joy and smiles to a group of young people and their parents. These are people going through challenging times, fighting illness and striving to win the most important “race” of their lives. The ALADINA Foundation works to ease the burden on children’s lives by supporting those admitted to the Children’s Oncology Hospital in Seville, Andalusia, as well as over twenty other hospitals across Spain. And this heartwarming story – where racing passion meets solidarity – is told by Miguel Ángel López: “I am an ambassador for the Aladina Foundation in Andalusia.Our mission at the Children’s Oncology Hospital is to ensure that the children admitted never lose their smiles and to offer warmth and support to them and their parents, who are living through this nightmare alongside the people they love most in the world: their children. Helping them is sometimes easy – at other times, it takes great effort and commitment.As part of the initiatives, we’ve created to help make this pain more bearable, we also introduced activities such as summer camps, meetings with other children who have faced illness, opportunities to share their experiences – and a range of other engaging initiatives.”
Another young guest of Aprilia Racing at the Jerez GP. She poses astride the Piaggio 1 electric scooter, used by riders and team members to get around during the Grands Prix. (Photo courtesy of the ALADINA Foundation of Seville.
“Among these magical encounters,” continues Miguel Ángel López, “in recent years, there was a visit to the Jerez motorcycle circuit, guests of Dorna (the Spanish company that organises major sporting events such as MotoGP, editor’s note) where we spent a wonderful day that made us forget the difficult days spent in hospital. These experiences – true ‘gifts’ – are not only for the children, but also for their parents.”
“Ambassador” Miguel Ángel López reached out to Wide Magazine just a few weeks before the Jerez GP: “Would it be possible this year, when we visit the Jerez circuit with some of the children from the paediatric oncology ward, to stop by your hospitality area? Confident that you’ll do everything you can to make this wonderful surprise happen, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Photo courtesy of the ALADINA Foundation of Seville.
The editorial team immediately informed Antonio Boselli, Head of Motorsport Communications at Piaggio Group. Within just a few days, the visit was arranged – a tour of the Aprilia Racing paddock at the Jerez circuit for a group of parents and children on Saturday, 26 April. The guests, who received Dorna passes, also watched the practice sessions trackside (thanks in part to the comfortable chairs provided for the youngsters, which were later gifted to them) so they wouldn’t get too tired during the action-packed day at the circuit. They also met rider Marco Bezzecchi in a dedicated meet & greet, all made possible through the commitment of the Aprilia Racing team. In short, a true team effort. Mission accomplished!
Photo courtesy of the ALADINA Foundation of Seville, Jerez circuit.
This is how Miguel Ángel López described the experience: “I want to express my gratitude for the commitment shown by Aprilia Racing from the very first moment I spoke to them – suggesting a visit from the paediatric oncology team of the Seville hospital and the idea of accompanying and welcoming some guests to the Jerez circuit. On behalf of the ALADINA Foundation, which I am part of and that is dedicated to ensuring that children in the paediatric oncology ward never lose their smile, I want to thank you for the magical moments we experienced in the Aprilia paddock.” Taking part in this unforgettable experience were Macarena, Victor, Abel and Rodrigo, wonderful young people facing their illness and treatment journey with remarkable courage. The joy and magical moments we shared with them – and with Aprilia Racing – were equally felt by the parents who accompanied us.”
Marco Bezzecchi during the 2025 Spanish GP at Jerez.
Testimonies from two fathers: “Words from the most perfect and powerful engine in the world – the human heart of these parents. A big hug to the Aprilia Racing team,” says Miguel Ángel López, ambassador of the ALADINA Foundation.
“I’m Tomás, the father of Rodrigo – one of the children undergoing cancer treatment who visited the Aprilia paddock at the Jerez Grand Prix on Saturday, 26 April 2025. I’m writing to tell you what a wonderful day Rodrigo, the other children, and their parents had. A heartfelt thank you for welcoming us so warmly into your garage – especially to Francesco Bezze. It was an unforgettable break from the tough and monotonous lives the children are currently living. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and promise that we will never forget it.”
Manuel, Macarena’s father: “I wanted to express our gratitude to Aprilia Racing. On Saturday, 26 April, we had a truly MAGICAL day!! Our entire family is passionate about motorcycles and their riders, so you can imagine my daughter Macarena’s reaction when I told her on Friday evening that I’d be waking her early on Saturday – just the two of us were heading out because someone had a surprise in store for her. That morning, as we were on our way to Jerez, I asked her if she could guess where we were going and who we might be meeting. She had no idea – she just said she hoped it had something to do with motorbikes but couldn’t imagine what was in store for her. She’s incredibly shy, but you can’t imagine how happy you made her (and I won’t deny it – I was twice as happy myself, seeing her enjoy the day and being able to share it with her). I spoke about it with the other parents, and I’ve shared it on several occasions: whenever you’re living through something ‘difficult or unfortunate’ like we are, dealing with a serious chronic illness, experiencing the GENEROSITY of others is something truly incredible – it feels like a blessing from above. The care and attention we received from Aprilia – especially from everyone we met in the garage and the hospitality area – went far beyond what you’d expect in a professional setting. The tenderness, warmth and kindness shown were, in my view, above all else. Special mention to Francesco Bezze. We’re still feeling the emotional after-effects! Surely, God will take note of the good they do for others and will bless them. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again – truly. A big hug to everyone from a father grateful for the generosity and solidarity of a great team!”
The ALADINA Foundation (founded in 2005 by Paco Arango) support children and families through illness and treatment for over 20 years in 22 hospitals across Spain. The Foundation's motto is: All for the children. Help us bring smiles to children with cancer!
