From the Moto3 title... to tomatoes! Los Palacios celebrates Rueda with the town symbol

It’s a busy winter for José Antonio Rueda, 2025 Moto3 champion and future Moto2 rookie. It’s time to collect awards and recognitions, moments now even more moving after the scare in Sepang. A celebration in Los Palacios y Villafranca, a municipality in the province of Seville and Rueda’s hometown, was a must. In addition to the 2025 Youth of the Year award, he was also given a special second prize: a crate weighing 61.8 kg (his body weight) of “bombón colorao”, the city’s typical tomato. It’s a local tradition for standout citizens, a special recognition presented by the Producers’ Association, committed to protecting this unique local product.

Literally “red bomb,” it’s the signature tomato of Los Palacios y Villafranca, a highly prized product and emblem of the city’s identity, made unique by the hot climate and fertile soil where it grows. To preserve it, years ago the municipality and several cooperatives created the “Association of Los Palacios Tomato Producers,” adopting strict control measures to ensure both that the product comes only from its area of origin and that it achieves the highest quality. In 2012, the “bombón colorao” obtained recognition as a National Collective Mark, the preliminary step toward inclusion on the list of PGI products, Protected Geographical Indication.

A special award, along with the Youth of the Year 2025 recognition, for the first Andalusian champion from Los Palacios y Villafranca. A historic moment for the Moto3 world champion, welcomed with full honors to celebrate the occasion together. Many citizens, despite the rain, went to City Hall to attend the event, then grabbed souvenir photos and autographs from the city’s champion. “As a City Council, and as a whole city, we’ve been following him for many years now,” emphasized Mayor Juan Manuel Valle. “We are aware of the significance of what he has achieved: beyond the world title, which is exceptional in itself, he has turned his dreams into reality.” He also highlighted Rueda’s attitude: “Not everyone can be a champion, but José Antonio has shown that with passion, commitment, and humility, you can go far: it’s a great message for all young people.”