OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
Carlo Baldi , automoto . it Journalist : “ In Italy we have not only this passion for motorsports and motorbikes . But we also have Ferrari , Lamborghini , Ducati … this passion is also in the mechanics . In producing something which is very fashionable . I think what Italians produce is not only good or not , technically speaking , but it is also very nice to look at , aesthetically speaking . For Italians Ducati is close to Ferrari . There is a big difference between Ducati and all the others . They are the Italian manufacturer . Also there is Aprilia in racing but if Ferrari wins , or Ducati wins , it is not Redding wins , or Bautista wins , or probably even Stoner wins – but the people will say Ducati wins . The same as Ferrari . People in Italy ask , ‘ did Ferrari win ?’ Not the driver . It is passion . It is red . In English they say really nice things have form and function . In Italian it is more form ! It is our history . If you come in Rome or Venice , there are somethings that no-one could do at that time . Only in Italy . Also Florence , Siena , etc .. These are really unique , because of the Italian aesthetic sense . We have an artistic view of the world but this can be a limit on the car and the bike . Italians like mechanics , engines , also because they can express all their imagination and their aesthetic sense . WorldSBK ? MotoGP™ is for everyone Superbike is for motorcycle lovers .”
Niccolò Canepa , Yamaha EWC Rider and Test Rider : “ In our history we have a lot of champions , racetracks and events . I grew up watching races on TV and it was a huge event every time there was a race – F1 , MotoGP™ , WorldSBK . It has always been interesting for me – and many , many other people . Nowadays many people in Italy do track days , they have their personal bike , they want to enjoy the experience in general . What is interesting for them in Superbike is that they can see their bike racing . MotoGP™ is a completely different world and different bikes . If we win in Superbike it means that everybody can buy it then everybody can be strong and fast in the circuit when they go for a trackday . That is one great appeal of WorldSBK . Also , we have had great champions in the past , like Biaggi , and many good riders that were very attractive for the championship .”
Gianfranco Carloia , WorldSBK Race Director : “ I think Italians have this passion because we have had so many champions in the past . From Pasolini , Agostini . Lucchinelli , Uncini and then top riders like Rossi . We have also nice roads to go with a bike . Italians still ride motorcycle and the passion for Superbike started because the Superbike was very similar to the streetbikes . We have a lot of iconic brands and we like racing , cars and circuits . That ’ s all – and I do not know exactly from where the passion comes – but the passion arrives ! Ducati is like Ferrari for two wheels . If you talk about Ducati it is like Ferrari – Italian style !”
Alberto ‘ Moro ’ Colombo , Yamaha Technician : “ I think Italians are crazy for Superbike because in 1995 / 96 to 2000s , WorldSBK did not have young riders , but famous older riders . The rules for the bikes were equivalent and finally when you made a race it was all together . It was a great spectacle , people passing , from the beginning to the end . For me this has remained in the minds and hearts of the people and the Italian people remember this very well . And there were and still are a lot of Italian riders and teams . Still now . WorldSBK is still very Italian .”
Franco Zonnedda , Brembo Engineer : “ Probably it is something in our veins , our DNA . We had fathers and grandfathers involved in car manufacture , motorcycle manufacture . We have very good designers , and an eye for design . We had some geniuses like Massimo Tamburini and many others . But motorsport and bikes are in our culture . Speed , the engine noise , the vibrancy … it is something special for us . MotoGP™ is the formula one of motorcycles , so prototypes , and we have had plenty of champions , but I think WorldSBK still has many fans because in my opinion World Superbike is for the fans who feel and focus on ‘ their ’ manufacturer . Superbikes are very similar to the ones you can ride on the street . You can identify with it and tune your bike . And for Italians it does not matter even if the rider is Italian , Troy Bayliss , many other Anglo-Saxon riders had more fans than Italian riders . Because they identify with their own bike . Probably the riders in WorldSBK are more friendly and more close to the fans .”
Lucio Pedercini , TPR Team Pedercini Kawasaki Team Owner : “ From the beginning the most important was Ferrari . Then Moto Guzzi , Ducati – I think this is the story of the engines . This my idea . All the world now know Italian people for Ferrari or Ducati . Italy is still interested in WorldSBK . If you remember that when WorldSBK started , after the first two years with Fred Merkel , Ducati won a lot of world championships . Before electronics the Ducati two-cylinder was very , very fast . And Italian people were big fans of Ducati and still fans of Superbike .”
Andrea Locatelli , Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Rider : “ Maybe because with Rossi for sure he is a big star , but also people in Italy love anything with engines , and motorbikes . Maybe this is the way that we have some fans in motorcycle sport . For me WorldSBK is good racing and a good opportunity for the fans – in normal times . In MotoGP™ it is not easy to enter and stay in the paddock , but here is more easy . It is another story here .”
EXCITING CONTENT
37