Alessandro Lupino will make a surprise appearance at the Swiss Grand Prix, stepping in for the Ducati MXGP team at the last minute. Speaking to Lisa Leyland at MXGP, the experienced Italian opened up about the unexpected call-up, his current focus on the 250cc project, and the importance of gathering data as Ducati continues to develop its motocross program. Lupino also shared his thoughts on fellow countryman Tony Cairoli’s return at Arco di Trento and the bigger picture behind Ducati’s growing presence in the paddock.
On why he is racing the Swiss GP…
I didn’t expect also to be here and that happened on Tuesday of this week. I mean, I was at home taking it easy and just relaxing. Then they called me and they say if I want to join the MXGP team and then I say yeah I would like. Of course when there is racing in the mind we all have the feeling in our stomach that we say yeah of course I would like to do.
On where he’s at heading into the GP…
I mean I’m quite busy at home but I’m more focused on 250cc project for Ducati so I’m racing Italian championship with the new 250cc and I’m training with the 250cc. With the 450cc it’s been from last year in September that I didn’t ride it. It’s quite a long time and so that’s the big difference. We rode on Wednesday morning, I tried the bike of Mattia and then I will try tomorrow with the setup from Mattia and the suspension. We didn’t have time to figure out something but I know I like it because I rode this bike last year and I will see how it improves during this time. I want to see tomorrow how the feeling is on the bike.
For the European races I follow the guys from Italian Federation so I watch the races but I got the surprise call to race so I really appreciate it.
On Cairoli racing Arco di Trento…
Yeah I mean he’s still a talent, for sure a talent but I can imagine it’s not easy to make one GP in a year because you lose the pace from guys. You lose the race rhythm so that’s the most difficult thing and then especially also for him I didn’t expect that call so maybe he was not fully fit for them.
But for sure he had fun, he maybe didn’t get the results what he wants but the start was okay, he was a bit unlucky but I mean he doesn’t have to show anything to us. He said that he had fun and that’s the most thing. I’m here also and I know it’s not going to be easy with the big boys but we already want to have fun and then ride the bike, that’s the most important thing that’s what Ducati want wants. It is important to always have two bikes running because they need to collect data and to improve.
On improving the bike…
Exactly. That’s what Ducati is doing now, I mean last year with this bike we didn’t make many races, just Italian championship. We came two times to GP, one time with Tony, one time with me, so it’s quite new. We need more riders to ride the bike, it’s better for the brand and to collect data, to see it, to improve, so that’s the reason why we are here and then when there is a call for a race we cannot say no. We’ve got that fire in our belly and you just have to get out there.
