Discover Albert Valera: The Powerhouse Driving MotoGP Rider Deals

Jorge Martin’s decision to leave Aprilia at the end of this MotoGP season has made Albert Valera one of the most talked-about agents in the paddock. Valera, age 40, comes from the Maresme region just north of Barcelona.

He manages both Martin and Pedro Acosta, who is also expected to feature heavily in team discussions soon. Valera currently finds himself in the middle of a busy season as teams try to lock in top riders and solve contract puzzles, especially with Acosta’s future still tied to KTM as that squad works through financial challenges.

Even though Valera now holds a powerful position in motorcycle racing, he did not set out to become an agent for riders. His career took a turn in 2012 after he met Jorge Lorenzo by chance.

Lorenzo, who was looking to create a new support team, connected with Valera through their mutual friend Ricky Cardus. At that time, Valera was working for Johnson & Johnson and thinking about getting an MBA abroad.

Everything changed when he accepted Lorenzo’s offer in a Barcelona restaurant, marking the beginning of a new path in motorsport. Valera’s first negotiation kept Lorenzo at Yamaha with a new two-year deal in 2012.

Lorenzo quickly noticed Valera’s sharp thinking and honesty. Their teamwork grew, especially when Valera handled stressful meetings with Yamaha representatives.

He soon gained a reputation as a strong negotiator and secured Lorenzo a large contract at Ducati worth around €25 million over two years, starting in the 2017 season. By 2013, Valera began working with Aleix Espargaro and added Jorge Martin to his list in 2014.

With more clients, Valera created the Playmaker agency to give riders extra support. His company now includes legal and financial experts and even brought on respected communications staff like Artur Vilalta and Marc Balsells, making the agency a full-service operation for top riders.

Valera’s negotiating skills have allowed his clients to leave teams through cleverly written contracts. Martin’s release from KTM in 2020 happened thanks to a special clause Valera had arranged, letting Martin join Ducati’s satellite squad, Pramac, in 2021.

A similar clause exists for Martin with Aprilia, but the manufacturer disputes it, arguing that Martin missed most races this year. Valera says he tries to resolve difficult talks without making them personal.

He understands why KTM was upset when Martin left, and he knows that Aprilia now faces frustration with its current contract issues. Valera insists that his main goal is to find the best outcome for his clients, keeping working relationships as positive as possible.

The next few weeks could again put Valera in the spotlight if Pedro Acosta tries to leave KTM and heads to the VR46 Ducati team. Such a move would likely mean more negotiations over contracts, buyout clauses, and team interests.

As the MotoGP rider market changes, Valera’s actions will shape not only where top riders land but also how deals get done. Observers around the paddock now wait to see which moves he will pull off next.