Riccardo Moretti Wins Italian Championship for Mahindra

Post by R.M. team

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Mahindra carves out their name in the history of racing

Last year Mahindra was the first Indian motorcycle manufacturer to enter the Moto Grand Prix championships. This year Mahindra left an exceptional a mark in history of the Italian Championships, with rider Riccardo Moretti brilliantly and seemingly effortlessly sweeping to victory at the Mugallo circuit in Tuscany.

After Riccardo popped the bubbly the word carried on the wind was that even if he stopped on the tracks for a game of cards, he would still have won the race. Mahindra are thrilled at the performance of Riccardo and their 250cc motorcycle in the Italian GP championship.

Little did I know when I joined the Mahindra Racing Team on this adrenalin pumped escapade that I was nested right in the heart of all the action. This was the first round of the MotoGP series in the heart of the Tuscan countryside.

This is the second year for Mahindra Racing and it is a great pleasure to see Mahindra have a fantastic start to the season. This year they're set to compete in all the races of the new Moto3 class with their MGP3O – a 250cc 4 stroke bike developed in conjunction with Italy’s Engines Engineering.

Young Indian rider rides for Mahindra

Mahindra Racing also takes steps to promote, nurture and grow talent from a little closer to home. In 2010, the Indian rider Sarath Kumar had earned the title of the National Champion of India in 165CC Expert class and now the promising young rider had the opportunity to whet his skills at international level.

Despite Sarath's recent encounter with technical difficulties at Mugello, the 21-year-old continues to gain international popularity and his performance will eagerly be followed by fans in India and around the world.

Retox Magazine's exclusive interview with Italian Championship winner Riccardo Moretti

Retox Magazine:Firstly congratulations are in order! How do you feel having won the race?

Riccardo Moretti politely smiles and gives us a diplomatic reply.

Riccardo Moretti: We had 3 progressive days, we were the fastest over the 3 days and it is a good thing for the season.

 

Retox Magazine: How many years have you been practicing the sport?

Riccardo Moretti: 5 years – won the Honda Trophy 125GP in 2007 – there I won the Championship by winning 4 of the 5 races; won the trophy in 2008 finishing second in the Italian Championship; won the Italian championship in 2009 – 1st position; the same year I finished 13th in the wild card entry in Grand Prix Italy.

Retox Magazine: Tell us about the first time you’ve learnt to ride a motorbike?

Riccardo Moretti: I was 5 years old, it was with a motocross bike.

 

Retox Magazine: What makes you perform better? Do you follow a certain discipline?

Riccardo Moretti: 6-day per week training - 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon; swimming, running, bike, gym and yoga for concentration. Teaching me yoga is an Indian girl living in Italy!

 

Retox Magazine: Are you competitive in everyday life or just the sport?

Riccardo Moretti: Most of the time I am concentrating on sport, so I am competitive in life. But with people I am not competitive and I try to be relaxed; I don't quarrel for something outside the race, only with girls.

 

Retox Magazine: If racing was not your profession, what do you think you would be doing right now?

Riccardo Moretti: Can't say at the moment, but probably be an employer – a boss… Just thinking of having to work under a boss, it inspires me to ride faster. Otherwise fishing.

 

Retox Magazine: If tomorrow you had to become a bus driver, do you think you'd be good at it?

Riccardo Moretti: I would probably get sacked for consuming tires and having to change the bus. Driving a school bus would be good – kids would have a lot of fun!

 

Retox Magazine: Where do you see yourself this time in 2020?

Riccardo Moretti: Hope to be an official Mahindra rider, taking Mahindra to top levels.

 

Retox Magazine: I overheard someone say after the race, "Riccardo was so fast he could stop on the tracks and play cards." If you were to play cards what game would you have played?

Riccardo Moretti: Scopa

(Scopa is an Italian card game, played with a standard Italian 40-card deck and the word Scopa translates to "broom" - taking a scopa means "to sweep" all the cards off the table. Both, skill and chance are important to the outcome of this game.)

 

Retox Magazine: And finally, what releases your endorphins?

Riccardo Moretti: Winning the race. Having fun with friends.