Report: Mantova Italian International – Febvre on top!


MX2

Nicholas Lapucci ran away with the MX2 moto to take the win and win the championship in impressive style for a jubilant Fantic team. Roan Van de Moosdijk came from an average start to take second but it wasn’t a good day for his teammates. Mathys Boisrame had a mechanical while Mikkel Haarup had a huge crash while third trying to scrub elimating both F&H Kawasaki riders from the race.

Mattia Guadagnini stalled while in the top three and had to come through the field to eventually take 13th just behind Liam Everts who had a strong showing in 12th against some GP level riders.

MX1

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Romain Febvre stalked holeshot man Ivo Monticelli before making his move and taking the win despite some arm pump and a flying Jeremy Van Horebeek! The Beta rider passed Lupino then Monticelli before reeling in Febvre in a terrific performance with Van Horebeek admitting he feels at one with his new machine – and he expects the engine to get even better!

Jorge Prado appeared to stall in the first turn but was charging through the field with the top five in sight until another mistake saw him settle for sixth.

Superfinal

The race got off to a cracking start with Romain Febvre edging Jorge Prado for the holeshot then Nicholas Lapucci pushing his way by Prado in turn two on the Fantic!

For the next five minutes Lapucci was on a mission catching up to Febvre and event trying to make the pass! Prado though wasn’t going anywhere and would make the move on Lapucci eight minutes in and set his sights on Febvre who started to pull away.

Prado upped the pace and caught Febvre, sticking unto the Kawasaki’s rear wheel and searching for lines to make the pass. With options limited, Prado positioned himself in the inside of Febvre on the inside of turn two but his wheels slid from under him just as he made the pass and Prado, worryingly, stayed on the ground for a while after appearing to catch his leg under the bike. Eventually Prado was able to limp off but he looked in considerable pain, so fingers crossed the injury is nothing serious for the very talented Spaniard.

Febvre took the win with Jeremy Van Horebeek riding through the top five in second on to cap a brilliant day for the Belgian and Beta, who have shown they look to be a force to be reckoned with in 2021. Lapucci won the 250 class taking fourth overall with Roan Van de Moosdijk just behind in fifth for second in MX2.

Febvre said: “First we fight with Lapucci – he impressed me! Then we fight with Prado and unfortunately he crashed, he came in too fast. I hope he is okay.”

“From day one the chassis and handling is incredible,” said Van Horebeek of the new Beta. “I feel at one with the bike. It’s crazy five months ago there was no bike and having so much fun on the bike, it’s incredible. I will push two more years really hard and I think we can do great things.”

Report: Jonathan McCready

Image: Kawasaki