A Sardinia on the eve of spring welcomed the first round of the “Internazionali d’Italia MX EICMA Series” of motocross!
As always, the season of international competitions in Europe opens at the “Le Dune” track, as said by the President of the Italian Motorcycle Federation, Giovanni Copioli. Many foreign riders at the start and with Tony Cairoli on the track as a spectator, still recovering but with a great desire to get back on track as a protagonist. Beautiful races, strong and with many battles, which exalt the spectators, especially online thanks to live on the web.
SUPERCAMPIONE – Many changes in this heat, where Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) won the EICMA Hole-Shot and the “Best Lap – 24MX”, who pushing in the first laps, followed by Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team), Glenn Coldenhoff (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP), Nicholas Lapucci (Fantic Factory Team Maddii) and Thomas Olsen (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing). Lapucci was unable to keep the right rhythm, losing some positions, while Olsen recovered and moved close to the leaders. About 5 minutes from the end, the Spanish leader of KTM Prado returned to the pit lane leave the race and leaving the leadership to the French Kawasaki rider, Febvre. Behind the winner finished Olsen, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek (SDM Corse Beta MX) and the first of the Italians Ivo Monticelli (One Two Eight -Kawasaki).
MX1 – Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) dominated this MX1 heat, taking the lead after start, with EICMA Hole-Shot plate and stretching over all the others riders led by Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team), but the French rider crashed about 10 minutes from the end, finishing in sixth place, after winning the “Best Lap – 24MX” award (best lap time). Third at the beginning Alessandro Lupino (MRT Racing Team KTM), who battled with Glenn Coldenhoff (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP) and Thomas Olsen (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing). Coldenhoff pushed a lot and took second place, followed by Olsen and Jeremy Van Horebeek (SDM Corse Beta MX).
MX2 – Very strong race from the start in MX2, with Nicolas Lapucci (Fantic Factory Team Maddii) who starts very quickly, winning the EICMA Hole-Shot, followed by Mattia Guadagnini (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and the Belgian Jago Geerts (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 ). Guadagnini was trying to overtake the leader and he extended a braking at the end of the straight next to the pit lane and before the curve leading to the finish line he lost control of his KTM and crashed, getting up to fifth place. During the race he overtakes several opponents before fall again, but thanks to his excellent race rhythm he won “best lap – 24MX”. Towards the end of the race Geert, overtakes Lapucci, he pushed to the checkered flag. Third concludes the Swedish Tim Edberg (Yamaha), followed by Mattia Guadagnini.
125 – Very strong races where the youngsters have shown that they are combative and with a great desire to win. Race one and race two podiums unchanged with Hakon Osterhagen (Fantic Factory Team Maddii), Valerio Lata (MRT Racing Team KTM) and Andrea Rossi (Mxone KTM). In race one the Norwegian from Fantic started in the lead and went on to win, but in race two he had a not easy manche, also with “Best Lap – 24MX”. Valerio Lata leading the second heat by winning the EICMA Hole-Shot, but was overtaken after a few meters by Andrea Rossi. The two Italians had a great fight, but about 8 minutes from the end Rossi was overtaken by Osterhagen and the Italian immediately fell down into a corner to Lata’s advantage. Rossi gets up but ends up on the last step of the podium.
The first round of the Internationals of Italy MX EICMA Series 2021 ends in the best way, with the difficulties of the pandemic in the world. A good message for national and international sporting events, for all people and for all those who have a passion for motors. Next appointment again in Sardinia for March 7 in Alghero.