The incredible story of Axel Pons, the former Moto2 rider who has turned his life around

In the world of motorcycling, it is common for riders to fall into oblivion after retiring from competition, often tired of the pressure, constant travel and strict routines that the discipline demands. This was the case of Axel Ponsa young talent of Spanish motorcycling and heir to the legacy of his father, the legendary Sito Ponstwo-time 250cc world champion. who after growing up on two wheels realized that his happiness did not involve standing on a podium.

© Getty Images

© Pakistan Tourism

Axel began his career in cSpanish 125GP championship and came to compete in Moto2 between 2011 and 2017. During those years, he participated in 144 races, reaching his best overall position with 16th place. Despite the expectations surrounding his last name, the pilot failed to stand out as expected and in 2018, at the age of 27, he made a drastic decision: leave the circuits behind and dedicate himself to fashion design.

© Pakistan Tourism

© Getty Images

However, this transition marked only the beginning of an even more drastic change in his life. A year later, Axel revealed in an interview with The Country who not only abandoned motorcycling, but also his job at a modeling agency and a romantic relationship that he had at that time. “I was trapped,” he confessed, evidencing his need to search for a new meaning in his life.

From the roar of the circuits to the silence of a barefoot pilgrimage

Now, and after a long time without hearing anything about him, Axel Pons has reappeared by surprise in a video published by the YouTube channel Pakistan Tourism. In it, he is shown as a completely transformed man who is difficult to identify with the previous Axel. He looks dirty, has become a backpacker and walks barefoot wherever he goes. And as he himself has said, he has been traveling the world for three years, causing his philosophy of life to take a radical turn.

© Getty Images

In the video, Pons tells how he has dedicated the last 15 months to walking from Spain to Pakistan, crossing 10 countries. His initial goal was to reach India, but visa complications forced him to change his plans, although his future plans include trying to cross into China.

Walking barefoot has become the symbol of his new life. According to Pons, this practice allows you to connect with the environment more deeply and appreciate details that previously went unnoticed. “Normally, I walk without shoes, it’s beautiful”he commented in one of the interviews carried out during his journey.

© Pakistan Tourism

© Pakistan Tourism

Internal search and spiritual experience

In a moving conversation with a Pakistani boy, Pons explained the reason behind his decision to abandon the frenetic pace he had followed for years. “I started getting slower and slower, until I started going through the world slowly, appreciating the details of life,” he said, highlighting how this change in speed has allowed him to find the peace he had not been able to experience while piloting.

In addition to his personal transformation, Axel has also taken a spiritual approach to his path. “We only had the desire to complete the union with Allah or God, and this is our way of praying and practicing; walking,” he expressed, making it clear that his journey is not only physical, but also an internal search and a spiritual experience. And Axel has found in every step he takes barefoot the motivation that he did not find in the roar of the circuits.