Here are the statements of the protagonists on the track and some guests of honor of the first round of the Italian motocross championship Prestige 24MX – Borilli Pro Series, held yesterday on the Mantua track.
MX1
Isak Gifting (Yamaha) – Winner: “Last week I had a bad accident in Argentina and here in Mantua I had to work on myself to find my speed again. In the first heat I crashed at the start and it was hard to recover up to sixth place. Instead in the second I started better, took the lead quickly and controlled the race. I was lucky to win the overall with a sixth and a first place, but it’s a great feeling. I thank the team, it’s a great day for all of us.”
Alessandro Lupino (Ducati) – 2nd place: “Qualifying and the first heat were perfect, beyond imagination. In race 2, however, I got the start wrong and then never got into the right rhythm. The Ducati engineer told me that he is happy, because in this way they have acquired data on the bike even when it is fighting with the others. I would have preferred to do both heats alone in the lead, but in the end I’m happy with this weekend, with all the people who came to cheer and with the atmosphere at Ducati. This bike is only seven months old, we didn’t even know if it would reach the finish line. I would say that second place on our debut is a result that satisfies us greatly.”
Giuseppe Tropepe (Honda) – 3rd place: “After more than a year of absence from racing, I had to start the season very calmly and honestly I didn’t expect to go so fast already. The second heat was really tough: I made a good start, but then due to a contact with another rider I fell and had to recover. I gave everything, but my physical condition is still not at its best and at the end I was really exhausted. However, I am very happy with this podium, it means that we did things in the right way with the team.”
Emilio Scuteri (Honda) – 4th overall: “In the first heat I suffered with stiff arms and I was very disappointed, because I knew I could do better. In race 2 I managed to solve the problems, I started in front and remained second until the end. A few months ago I was thinking of retiring, because one injury after another had totally demoralized me. Luckily I got back on track and this result gives me the morale to continue working and trying to improve more and more.”
MX2
Valerio Lata (GasGas) – Winner: “Until a few days ago I didn’t even know if I would race, due to an arm injury, but instead I came to Mantua and took first place in all the test sessions and in the two heats . It couldn’t have gone better than this. This month has been difficult, but I really wanted to be here and make a good impression. I thank the doctors who followed me during this period, the team and the family. See you in Cingoli.”
Yago Martinez (TM) – 2nd place : “I’m happy, we’re working well with the team and with TM. Next week we have a world championship race and this result allows us to have confidence to continue the season. Let’s continue like this.”
Alessandro Manucci (GasGas) – 3rd place : “It’s great to get the first podium of my career in the Elite category. It’s a shame that in the first heat I had a small problem with the bike, otherwise perhaps I could have gotten even further ahead and finished second overall. But I’m still very happy, I thank everyone who supports me.”
Francesco Bellei (KTM) – 6th overall : “I arrived here without knowing exactly what to expect, given that it was my first race in the Prestige. In the first heat I started well, I kept the pace of the leaders and I also managed to make some overtakings, finishing third. In race 2, however, I had some problems with the bike, I took a lot of risks and I even crashed on the last lap. But I have the Fast red plate, so I can’t complain. I thank the team, family and people who support me.”
Claudio Domenicali – CEO Ducati: “We didn’t think we’d go so fast from the first race. Thanks to Lupino, who was very good, but we can certainly also say that our bike was born well. I saw that a lot of people came and this means that Ducati has had a major impact on the world of motocross. Even enthusiasts of other brands are curious to see how a desmodromic engine behaves off-road: an absolutely new element, which I am convinced will give even greater added value on the 250 motorcycle, which we are developing.”
Rocco Siffredi – Actor : “I came to Mantua to support Manuel Iacopi, a boy who works during the week and trains when he can, but still manages to always be with the best. And obviously also to see the debut of Ducati. Riccardo Boschi of the JK Racing team told me that the Italian championship would amaze me and I have to say that he was right: there are many riders, there is a lot of spectators and it is truly a spectacle”.
Words: Press Release
Image: FX Action
