An Italian impressing in the sand! Federico Tuani talks about his day at Arnhem and looking up to his countryman Antonio Cairoli.
GateDrop: Federico, we are here in the Dutch sand of Arnhem and you had two very very good moto’s, you must be delighted with your pace in the deep sand?
Tuani: Of course, we come from Italy and it’s not our usual kind of tracks but I really love the sand. I have been here for two months and riding at Lommel and stuff so I am super happy with it. It is my best finish in EMX250 so I am really happy. The track was really rough and sketchy yesterday also. I managed to take two good starts and I managed to make passes on a few riders to finish sixth and fifth for seventh overall. I am really happy with my speed and to be able to battle with the guys up front. I am quite happy with it.
GateDrop: Starts are very important in EMX250 and you don’t typically get great starts so how did it feel to run at the front? You had a great battle with Osterhagen in the second moto and he’s a talented kid…
Tuani: Yeah, of course, when you start at the front then you ride with the better guys from the start and you can keep the speed to carry it throughout the moto. It is super, it is important also because you stay out of crashes with other riders and other troubles. It is important to keep the speed and also improve because you see the top guys in the sand and how they ride it, Osterhagen and guys like this. You watch, you look and you try also to battle with them so it is really important to start at the front. It’s important in every race but especially these kind of races because then you don’t get so dirty, you can just ride your rhythm with the guys. The level is really high so you need to start up front every race.
GateDrop: When you were with Fantic you were racing the EMX2T series mainly but since moving to SM Action you’ve focused on the EMX250 series and having last year to build on, a big improvement…
Tuani: When I was with Fantic we focused on other stuff but we did some EMX250 races just to make experience because I was still young. But now my focus is fully on the EMX250 championship, last year was really tough with it. I changed completely my life because I changed the team, the bike, the trainer and everything in my usual life, you know? But this year I was used to it because we changed only the bike but the brand is the same, KTM and GasGas is the same family. I felt straight away comfortable on the new bike and we did a really strong and hard work. It has paid off, I can see it now but I am really happy with how the EMX250 season goes and also some wildcards in the MX2 World Championship. I decided to do this to gain experience for next year but I am happy with how it goes.
GateDrop: Even from last year you have improved quite a lot, what would you put that down too?
Tuani: It’s just you know, I am always one guy that always works hard. It’s not like last year I was working less or stuff like this. Sometimes you need to work on the mental side and it is really important. Sometimes your body is ready and your fit but the head is the most important muscle in the body so you need to work on this side. Don’t put pressure on it because you go to do your work and do the best you can do. This is also really important for a season that lasts really long – you start in January and finish in October. It is not easy to keep the momentum every races.
GateDrop: Growing up is there anyone you looked up too? Obviously being Italian, Antonio Cairoli, what a legend! Is he someone you looked up to?
Tuani: Of course, when I was a kid I was watching videos of him every hour of the day. I was always looking at him and it is such a shame he stopped racing. I was watching him at Balen last week and he is still so fast. It is not so good that he stopped because he was someone that made you go to the races because you know Cairoli is there. For sure it’s something good if he is there but he is still in the paddock making some good work with the guys. We see now with Andrea Adamo who is leading the championship so for sure the hard work pays off. He is always one guy that I look up and I still do, he is one guy you should look at him. He is one legend, really.
GateDrop: Even though he has retired, the future looks good for Italy, EMX65 and EMX85 was full of talented Italians so it looks good for the future?
Tuani: Yeah, I am very happy for it and for the kids. They are growing really good, we had two European champions so it is really good for Italy, the country and the sport. In Italy Motocross is not a popular sport but it is still really good. Now with Andrea Adamo leading the MX2 championship and Andrea Bonacorsi leading the EMX250 championship and there’s also Zanchi. Everyone is trying to do their best even if it is sometimes really hard. It is so nice to have two European champions this year.
GateDrop: Any plans for next year yet – would you like to make the step up to race the MX2 World Championship?
Tuani: With the age rule (U21), I cannot race EMX250 anymore so I have to step up. It is my goal after two years in the EMX250 championship to be able to go MX2. At the moment we are talking with teams and things like that but I don’t have any plans sure in my mind. For sure I will make an update when I do.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
Image: Danny Relouw
