 However, injury the following year set him back and despite taking one podium in the Movistar Cup, he only finished the season in ninth place.In 2001 he entered the 125cc Spanish Championship with Team Belart which folded halfway through the season due to financial reasons.But he was spotted by Manuel Morente who signed him up for the remaining races of the season and offered him a new team with iconic Atlético Madrid sponsoring for the following year.